Overview


George Mason University
Fairfax, VA, USA
Public
4 Year
Overview
George Mason University is a public research university with three regional locations and an international campus in Songdo, Korea. It is considered to have the “Highest Research Activity” and ranks among the Best Southeastern Schools according to the The Princeton Review. GMU has partnerships with the International Monetary Fund, National Aeronautics and Space administration, and the Smithsonian Institution among others. Information Technology, Psychology, and Police and Criminal Sciences are popular fields of study offered at George Mason.
Acceptance Rate:
90%
Average Net Price:
$18,285
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.7
Average ACT Composite
27
Average SAT Composite
1222
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $13,815 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $37,979 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $15,151 |
| Books and Supplies | $1278 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$12,235
$30k - $48k
$12,661
$48k - $75k
$15,751
$75k - $110k
$19,450
$110k+
$24,224
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
57%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
30%
Average Aid Per Year
$10,760
30%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,630
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,698
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
39%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3974
44%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,630
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$110,896,376
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$45,439,871
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
41%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,079
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$16,231
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$191
Students receiving federal loans
40%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,088
Average Other Loans Per Year
$18,984
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
20001
Students Applied
83%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
2806
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
No
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | August 24 | June 1 |
Application Fee
$70
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
In-State Students
77%
Out-Of-State Students
10%
3%
Submitting ACT
38%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 27
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1222
0
1600
SAT Percentiles
Math
25th
560
75th
680
Reading
25th
580
75th
670
3.7
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
3.75+
46%
3.50 - 3.74
22%
3.25 - 3.49
20%
3.00 - 3.24
9%
2.50 - 2.99
2%
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Top 10%
17
Top 25%
40
Top 50%
73
Students Enrolled By Household Income
< $30k
396
$30k - $48k
267
$48k - $75k
297
$75k - $110k
247
$110k+
479
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
39,049
Total Number of Undergrads
27,014
0
100
48%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
72%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- ROTC Air Force
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
2-19 Students
33%
20-39 Students
41%
40-99 Students
21%
100+ Students
2%
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
138
Majors
| A B M D | |
|---|---|
| AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES | |
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | ✓ ✓ |
| COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS | |
| COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES | |
| COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES | ✓ ✓ ✓ |
| EDUCATION | |
| ENGINEERING | |
| ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS | |
| FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES | |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS | |
| HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS | |
| HISTORY | ✓ ✓ ✓ |
| HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES | |
| LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES | |
| LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES | |
| MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS | |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | |
| NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION | ✓ ✓ ✓ |
| PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, FITNESS, AND KINESIOLOGY | |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | |
| PHYSICAL SCIENCES | |
| PSYCHOLOGY | |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES | ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ |
| VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS |
Faculty Overview
0
100
91%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Male
Female
US National: 42%
US National: 48%
Ethnicity
African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Male
Female
51%
US National: 44%49%
US National: 56%Residency
In-State Students
77%
Out-Of-State Students
10%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
50
Countries Represented
108
Ethnicity
African American
12%
Asian/Pacific Islander
23%
Hispanic
17%
White
34%
Multiracial
5%
Unknown
3%
Percent of First Generation Students
30%
Student Organizations
464
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
24%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
22%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Patriots
School Colors
green and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
227
Total Female Athletes
237
Intramural Sports
14
Sports Club
10
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Crew-Rowing
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
George Mason University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
No
Campus emergency phones
No
24-HR escort safety rides
No
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$63,900
Top 5 Cities
Washington
New York
Richmond
San Francisco
Baltimore
Top 5 Employers
George Mason University
Booz Allen Hamilton
Inova Health System
Northrop Gruman
Deloitte
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Education
Information Technology
Operations
Engineering
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$16,231
Loan Default Rate
1%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$191
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingHere at George Mason University a.k.a GMU or Mason, classes are small and the professors are shockingly always available to answer questions by email or in person. Lecture halls are usually semi-big but then they are divided into Labs where you are able to get one on one assistance with your instructors. I learned so much within my first semester there and was well prepared entering my second semester. My professors were compromising and taught me new ways to study, write papers and do presentations. My strengths were brought out and my so called weaknesses are no longer categorized as such! I am a nursing major but I have been introduced to all other majors and everyone seems to know a little about everything which is great given that the school is big and yet feels like a spacious home.
Tahina from Richmond, VA
I get excited about what I have learned when I leave my classes. I am a psychology major and psychology is very interesting within itself, but I have been able to explore my major in ways to help me decide what I want to do after I get my degree. I feel that I will be well prepared to go out into the work force when I graduate because of the knowledge and great teaching abilities of my professors.
Sherita from Logan Township, NJ
I do not know where to begin in describing how much I have learned at George Mason. This past year was my first year at Mason and I started off as a biology major. My first semester provided me with a variety of classes that kept me on my toes. However, my second semester lead me to change my major to History. For the first time in my schooling, I switched from learning U.S. history, to studying African Civilization. My History 262 surprised me with such interesting information, that it opened my eyes to change my major to History. I am not looking back on that decision. Mason has a huge variety of classes that will provide a foundation and letting you grow into professionals.
Sabel from Virginia Beach, VA
George Mason University is a great school to attend if you are in process of earning your college degree. The academics are excellent and the class sizes, on average, are medium. The professors are informative when it comes to the subject that they teach. After a semester at Mason I have learned a lot of material in various different areas of studies; from math, to history, to religion, and more.
from VA
As a student here at George Mason University, I would have to say that with George Mason is definitely an A school for B students. GMU is one of the most underrated schools in the country academically, offering many opportunities by the surrounding D.C. area. The professors here are top-notch, whether they be full-time or adjunct with local jobs in the Nation's capital. With every class comes a great experience with an even more outstanding professor teaching you through it. Here at George Mason, the professors are as good as any Ivy League school professors, and it is an outstanding school to feel strong about the degree you are receiving.
Dakota from Poway, CA
As long as you have a genuine thirst for knowledge, most classes will be very intriguing and you will take pride in what you have learned. Many of the professors I have come into contact with are excellent teachers and are highly available through email. I have gotten responses back from professors within hours of sending my message. Learning at Mason does not stop at the exit of classroom; while visiting the career and academic advising centers I have gained important knowledge on specific majors and careers I'm interested in. In the career center there's a mini library of books about almost every career imaginable.
A large number of professors encourage their students to get involved with campus activities. I am proud to say that I was involved with helping set up and prepare the AIDS Quilt that came to GMU during AIDS/HIV Awareness week. Many students and I hung large quilts around the JC (Johnson Center). On each one, pictures and names of people were quilted in remembrance of those past.
With some classes, you'll find yourself attending world class performances at the Center for the Arts building where pianist Lang Lang has/will perform. Or even at other various campus events that teachers may give extra credit for. There is a continuous stream of job workshops at Mason that aim to enhance your job-getting and job-performing skills.
At Mason, the education goes beyond the lecture halls.
A large number of professors encourage their students to get involved with campus activities. I am proud to say that I was involved with helping set up and prepare the AIDS Quilt that came to GMU during AIDS/HIV Awareness week. Many students and I hung large quilts around the JC (Johnson Center). On each one, pictures and names of people were quilted in remembrance of those past.
With some classes, you'll find yourself attending world class performances at the Center for the Arts building where pianist Lang Lang has/will perform. Or even at other various campus events that teachers may give extra credit for. There is a continuous stream of job workshops at Mason that aim to enhance your job-getting and job-performing skills.
At Mason, the education goes beyond the lecture halls.
from Fairfax, VA
George Mason has a great diversity of students and is rapidly expanding their campus to add many more programs to accommodate different majors. Mason has a great community feel with students who are excited to be patriots and go to class to learn. Mason is the place to be!
Jennifer from Columbia, MD
Although I'm not learning a lot in my Honors classes (go figure), I do learn a lot in the classes for my major. My Abnormal Psychology class blew me away.
Samantha from Fairfax, VA
George Mason , home of the Patriots, is one of the most diverse schools in the state of Virginia. Not only does it have a beautiful campus but it is also located fairly close to our nations capitol. This school is full of innovation, constantly growing and trying to find new ways to help the youth reach success.
Tomesha from Highland Springs, VA
George Mason University is a very open and diverse campus. A variety of majors are offered and well taught at Mason. It is a very safe and nurturing environment to study, learn, and have hands on experience with what you will be doing for the rest of your life.
Julia from Ellicott City, MD
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George Mason University