Should I Choose the University of Delaware or George Mason University for an Undergraduate Business Degree?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that George Mason places you in the Washington, D.C., business market for semester-long internships and networking, while the University of Delaware offers a more traditional residential campus experience with strong access to the Philadelphia corridor and a well-established undergraduate business community.

Both schools’ business programs are AACSB-accredited, so neither choice will limit you academically. Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics is based in Newark, where business students can benefit from a cohesive campus environment, alumni connections in the Mid-Atlantic, and proximity to employers in Wilmington and Philadelphia. It can be especially appealing for students who want the full college experience while still pursuing internships during summers or through nearby regional employers.

George Mason’s Costello College of Business is in Fairfax, Virginia, within reach of federal agencies, government contractors, consulting firms, technology companies, nonprofits, and small and mid-sized businesses. That location can make it easier to build a résumé during the academic year, particularly for interests such as finance, information systems, entrepreneurship, government-related business, analytics, or consulting. Mason’s student body is also more locally connected to the D.C. area, which can be an advantage for practical networking but may feel less residential than Delaware.

For most students seeking a broad undergraduate business experience, Delaware is the more balanced choice. Choose Mason instead if you are prepared to actively use the D.C. location for internships from your first year onward, since that is its clearest career advantage.