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George Mason University

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Suburb · 27,752 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Action · in 30 days
Checked Oct 2026 · gmu.edu
$17,915
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
69%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$76,343
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
87%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

As Virginia’s largest public research institution, George Mason University is best known for leveraging its strategic proximity to Washington, D.C., to provide students with unparalleled internships, research opportunities, and federal agency connections. The university is particularly acclaimed for its powerhouse programs in public policy, cybersecurity, economics, and business, anchored by prestigious divisions like the Schar School of Policy and Government and the College of Engineering and Computing. Campus culture is defined by an exceptionally diverse, career-driven, and politically engaged student body that enjoys a vibrant mix of modern campus amenities and NCAA Division I athletics. Mason uniquely sets itself apart through its meteoric rise as a top-tier R1 research hub, offering an accessible, forward-thinking environment tailored for immediate impact in the capital region.

Wikipedia:George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the university is named in honor of George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States.

Location
Fairfax, VA, 22030-4444 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IAD · Dulles
11 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$14,220$38,688
Housing & food (on campus)$15,725$15,725
Books & supplies$1,288$1,288
Cost of attendance$28,604$53,072 est.
Average net price$17,915Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$38,688
In-state: $14,220
Housing & food (on campus)$15,725
Books & supplies$1,288
Cost of attendance$53,072 est.
In-state: $28,604
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $17,915
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,942
$30–48k
$12,093
$48–75k
$15,224
$75–110k
$19,430
$110k+
$25,894
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$8,892
First-years who got one980
Source: George Mason University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
69%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
46%
Back for yr 2
86%
Transferred
16%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
73% graduated · 17% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 9% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$60,536
10 yrs after entry$76,343
Debt
Median at graduation$19,500
Monthly payment$207
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$25.8k
90th percentile$31,520
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
87%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1274
R 580–680 · M 580–680
ACT midpoint
28
Comp 25–30 · E 23–31 · M 22–27
SAT middle 50%: 1160–1360
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days · November 1, Nonbinding
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Regular Decision
Feb 1 2027
in 122 days · February 1,
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · gmu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at George Mason University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: George Mason University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If George Mason University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 51%Women 49%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
30%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$44,254
Independent
24%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
19%
Race & ethnicity
White
32%
Hispanic
18%
Black
13%
Asian
23%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
5%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$60,536
After 10 yrs
$76,343
Computer and Information Sciences, General761
Business/Commerce, General645
Psychology, General383
Criminal Justice and Corrections362
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities292
Biology, General285
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing206
Political Science and Government180
Public Health178
Visual and Performing Arts, General140
Communication and Media Studies139
Homeland Security139
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods137
International Relations and National Security Studies120
Accounting and Related Services106
Business Administration, Management and Operations103
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$207M
Full-time faculty
53%
Faculty salary
$14,486/mo
Teaching spend
$15,232
per student
Federal loans
31%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$282M research spending · 299 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if George Mason University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search