George Mason University
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Fairfax, Virginia
Net price / year
$17,915
after grants & scholarships
higher than 81% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
87%
Graduation rate
69%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 86% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$78,425
4 years after graduating
higher than 93% of public 4-year colleges
George Mason University at a glance
- What is the tuition at George Mason University?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $14,220 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $38,688 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at George Mason University?
- The average cost of attendance is $28,604 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at George Mason University?
- The average net price for in-state students is $17,915 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at George Mason University?
- About 87% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at George Mason University?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1160–1360 and an ACT composite of 25–30 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at George Mason University?
- 69% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of George Mason University earn?
- The median graduate earns $78,425 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- Graduates earn a median $78,425 four years after finishing, more than 93% of public 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.7 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- 69% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 86% of public 4-year colleges.
- At $17,915 a year, the average net price is higher than 81% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,942 a year on average, versus $25,894 for families earning over $110,000.
Tuition and cost of attendance at George Mason University
Average net price (in-state)
$17,915 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the George Mason University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$71,660
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $11,942
- $30–48k $12,093
- $48–75k $15,224
- $75–110k $19,430
- $110k+ $25,894
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $28,604
- Tuition & fees$14,220
- Books & supplies$1,288
- Room & board$15,725
- Other expenses$3,667
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $14,220
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $38,688
George Mason University acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from George Mason University
Graduation rate
69%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
87%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$207
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
1.7 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.2×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 3.2%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 68%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $47,905 · median $76,343 · 75th percentile $109,864
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 9,414 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 13%
- Making progress 11%
- Not making progress 10%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 51%
- Deferment 13%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
9,414 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at George Mason University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 32 | $143,972 | 1 yr$90,9564 yrs$143,972 | U.S. median $70,193 U.S. middle half $51.2K–$95.4K · Above the U.S. median | $21,479 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 39 | $117,942 | 1 yr$87,4664 yrs$117,9425 yrs$108,739 | U.S. median $109,015 U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Above the U.S. median | $25,500 |
| Systems Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $114,815 | 1 yr$84,9424 yrs$114,8155 yrs$120,847 | U.S. median $105,185 U.S. middle half $79.7K–$137.6K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 626 | $110,754 | 1 yr$78,8004 yrs$110,7545 yrs$111,615 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 90 | $103,074 | 1 yr$82,1754 yrs$103,0745 yrs$103,679 | U.S. median $100,647 U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Above the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 348 | $97,049 | 1 yr$68,0494 yrs$97,0495 yrs$98,097 | U.S. median $86,176 U.S. middle half $61.8K–$114.7K · Above the U.S. median | $17,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 47 | $96,467 | 1 yr$73,5704 yrs$96,467 | U.S. median $92,135 U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median | $24,113 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $96,138 | — | U.S. median $76,786 U.S. middle half $51.8K–$102.9K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 86 | $93,856 | 1 yr$75,8224 yrs$93,8565 yrs$95,921 | U.S. median $86,517 U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,787 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 37 | $93,533 | 1 yr$63,9814 yrs$93,533 | U.S. median $93,451 U.S. middle half $74.1K–$113.9K · Above the U.S. median | $23,594 |
Show all 51 programs
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 353 | $91,132 | 1 yr$67,2914 yrs$91,1325 yrs$92,732 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 200 | $89,878 | 1 yr$78,3654 yrs$89,8785 yrs$89,074 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Above the U.S. median | $13,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 207 | $88,080 | 1 yr$62,9894 yrs$88,0805 yrs$97,027 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 107 | $87,548 | 1 yr$53,0244 yrs$87,5485 yrs$81,731 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 240 | $85,224 | 1 yr$55,1474 yrs$85,2245 yrs$74,937 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,440 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $77,681 | 1 yr$50,3044 yrs$77,6815 yrs$60,676 | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median | $20,504 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 44 | $77,519 | 1 yr$54,7114 yrs$77,5195 yrs$85,621 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median | $24,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $74,692 | 1 yr$49,5684 yrs$74,6925 yrs$69,330 | U.S. median $57,853 U.S. middle half $42.5K–$75.6K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 196 | $74,125 | 1 yr$45,8464 yrs$74,1255 yrs$74,736 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $20,449 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Bachelor's · Graduates: 61 | $72,271 | 1 yr$40,9294 yrs$72,2715 yrs$63,777 | U.S. median $63,114 U.S. middle half $44.7K–$84.3K · Above the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 401 | $69,511 | 1 yr$43,6124 yrs$69,5115 yrs$70,311 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | $17,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 196 | $69,399 | 1 yr$44,6444 yrs$69,3995 yrs$63,843 | U.S. median $66,596 U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Above the U.S. median | $20,117 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 130 | $69,210 | 1 yr$49,2234 yrs$69,2105 yrs$76,137 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,375 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $68,546 | 1 yr$27,8594 yrs$68,5465 yrs$88,888 | U.S. median $62,451 U.S. middle half $40.7K–$88.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,727 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $67,973 | 1 yr$56,6744 yrs$67,9735 yrs$72,841 | U.S. median $65,093 U.S. middle half $47.2K–$86.7K · Above the U.S. median | $18,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 197 | $65,358 | 1 yr$37,0254 yrs$65,3585 yrs$65,152 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 33 | $64,603 | 1 yr$38,9164 yrs$64,6035 yrs$58,321 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $16,676 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 239 | $64,301 | 1 yr$34,7194 yrs$64,3015 yrs$68,233 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,125 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 152 | $64,046 | 1 yr$45,6244 yrs$64,0465 yrs$72,797 | U.S. median $68,245 U.S. middle half $48K–$89.1K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 51 | $63,672 | 1 yr$34,8904 yrs$63,6725 yrs$61,833 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $21,651 |
| Security Science and Technology Bachelor's · Graduates: 39 | $63,182 | 1 yr$42,1004 yrs$63,182 | U.S. median $57,805 U.S. middle half $41.5K–$76.5K · Above the U.S. median | $23,251 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 62 | $62,727 | 1 yr$45,1514 yrs$62,7275 yrs$57,639 | U.S. median $56,726 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 338 | $62,563 | 1 yr$36,3264 yrs$62,5635 yrs$56,653 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $17,625 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 264 | $62,383 | 1 yr$40,1144 yrs$62,3835 yrs$65,410 | U.S. median $48,471 U.S. middle half $32.2K–$67.3K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $61,565 | 1 yr$45,1404 yrs$61,565 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Above the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Sustainability Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $61,216 | 1 yr$39,3294 yrs$61,2165 yrs$62,841 | U.S. median $57,887 U.S. middle half $37.2K–$77.1K · Above the U.S. median | $24,670 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 357 | $61,100 | 1 yr$41,3984 yrs$61,1005 yrs$59,124 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $60,874 | 1 yr$43,0384 yrs$60,8745 yrs$54,409 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median | $22,483 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Bachelor's · Graduates: 83 | $59,979 | 1 yr$45,1084 yrs$59,9795 yrs$60,030 | U.S. median $51,389 U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Above the U.S. median | $21,696 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $59,024 | 4 yrs$59,0245 yrs$53,588 | U.S. median $70,786 U.S. middle half $50.9K–$95.9K · Below the U.S. median | $28,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 36 | $58,931 | 1 yr$40,1054 yrs$58,9315 yrs$51,693 | U.S. median $49,984 U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 83 | $56,071 | 1 yr$33,1734 yrs$56,0715 yrs$51,160 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $18,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 79 | $55,715 | 1 yr$38,5594 yrs$55,7155 yrs$60,768 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,250 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 105 | $54,703 | 1 yr$31,9414 yrs$54,7035 yrs$52,669 | U.S. median $41,688 U.S. middle half $25.8K–$59.9K · Above the U.S. median | $21,125 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $53,441 | — | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 66 | $51,168 | 1 yr$25,9924 yrs$51,1685 yrs$58,724 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $18,750 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts Bachelor's · Graduates: 62 | $50,086 | 1 yr$23,9894 yrs$50,0865 yrs$49,691 | U.S. median $43,765 U.S. middle half $26K–$63.4K · Above the U.S. median | $23,205 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 55 | $47,440 | 1 yr$29,1924 yrs$47,4405 yrs$61,613 | U.S. median $43,283 U.S. middle half $27.2K–$64.3K · Above the U.S. median | $22,985 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 50 | $46,765 | 1 yr$34,6114 yrs$46,7655 yrs$46,718 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Above the U.S. median | $21,917 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 32 | $45,656 | 1 yr$22,9844 yrs$45,656 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Above the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $36,901 | 1 yr$12,4094 yrs$36,901 | U.S. median $39,980 U.S. middle half $24.9K–$57.3K · Below the U.S. median | $26,950 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 31.7%
- Black or African American 12.8%
- Hispanic or Latino 17.9%
- Asian 23.4%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.1%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
- Two or more races 5.7%
- U.S. nonresident 5.3%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 3.2%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 51.3%
- Women 48.8%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
17%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 27,752
- Part-time students
- 19%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 30%
- Receive federal loans
- 31%
- Students per faculty member
- 16 : 1
- Setting
- Suburb
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at George Mason University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, George Mason University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $14,220 for in-state students and $38,688 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at George Mason University?
The average cost of attendance at George Mason University is $28,604 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $17,915 a year. That is higher than 81% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at George Mason University get?
30% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 31% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $11,942 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $25,894 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at George Mason University?
George Mason University admitted about 87% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for George Mason University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1160–1360 and an ACT composite of 25–30 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at George Mason University?
69% of first-time, full-time students at George Mason University finish within 150% of normal time. 87% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do George Mason University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $78,425 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $55,366.
Is George Mason University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For George Mason University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.7 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $19,500, about 0.2 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 69% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things