George Mason vs UC Riverside: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. George Mason runs $9,832 less per year out of state; UC Riverside graduates 8 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean George Mason if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: George Mason lists $9,832 less per year in tuition and housing than UC Riverside.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: George Mason graduates earn about $8,644 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: George Mason has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than UC Riverside since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at George Mason against none listed at UC Riverside.
Lean UC Riverside if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: UC Riverside graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than George Mason.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UC Riverside is $2,000 lower than at George Mason.
- Your transcript is a strength: UC Riverside admits 76% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | George Mason | UC Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $13,815 | $14,170 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $39,397 — George Mason leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $44,947 |
| Room & board | $15,151 — George Mason leads on this measure: lower room & board | $19,433 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,966 — George Mason leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $33,603 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $54,548 — George Mason leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $64,380 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | George Mason | UC Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 69% | 77% — UC Riverside leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $76,343/yr — George Mason leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $67,699/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 | $17,500 — UC Riverside leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 26% | 26% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | George Mason | UC Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 87% | 76% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 39,527 | 26,426 |
| Where it is | Fairfax, VA | Riverside, CA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | George Mason | UC Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Atlantic 10 | Big West |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Justin Walker | Brittney Matta |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | George Mason | UC Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 3 listed (3 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
George Mason
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Might Mason08/14/2026 - 04/28/2027 · Kindergarten - 6th Grade · $90
- Mid-Atlantic Prospect Camp09/12/2026 - 09/13/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $300
- Future Patriots Showcase Camp10/10/2026 - 10/11/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $300
UC Riverside
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
George Mason vs UC Riverside: common questions
- Is George Mason or UC Riverside cheaper?
- On published price, George Mason is cheaper — about $54,548 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $64,380 at UC Riverside. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, George Mason or UC Riverside?
- UC Riverside, at 77% against 69% at George Mason (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do George Mason and UC Riverside offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- Do George Mason and UC Riverside run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at George Mason and none currently listed at UC Riverside. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at George Mason and UC Riverside?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for George Mason and UC Riverside accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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