George Mason University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $63,900 within 10 years.
About This School
George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia with approximately 27,752 undergraduate students enrolled. George Mason University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 87%. The average net price after financial aid is $17,915 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, and the typical graduate earns $63,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
Located just outside Washington, D.C., this large public university offers real value — at $18,287/year average net cost and a median debt of only $15,750 at graduation, students aren't taking on excessive risk, and the $63,900 median earnings at 10 years reflect solid returns bolstered by proximity to federal agencies and tech employers in Northern Virginia. The main concern worth watching is the 69% graduation rate, which means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish — worth asking admissions about support structures, especially for your intended major. Worth considering if you're drawn to policy, tech, or business and want an affordable path with genuine career geography on your side.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (27,752 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: George Mason University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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