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George Mason University

George Mason

Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusSuburban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

George Mason University is a public institution in Fairfax with particular strength in business and computer science. With an average SAT of 1247, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 27.1K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $76,343 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,287.

Established
1949
Motto
"Freedom and Learning"
Mascot
The Patriot
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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89%Acceptance
1247SAT Avg
27,083Students
16:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$76,343Earnings 10yr
$18,287Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate88.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1247

Reading & WritingMid: 625
580670
MathMid: 620
560670

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2530

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,815
Tuition (out-of-state)$39,397
Room & Board$15,151
Books & Supplies$1,278
Total Cost of Attendance$26,972
Average Net Price$18,287
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,197
$30–48K$13,383
$48–75K$16,296
$75–110K$20,394
$110K+$25,247

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

193

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

45

Burglary

9

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

15

Motor Vehicle Theft

22

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

54

Drug Arrests

41

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (259)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

87%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
27,083
Gender Split
49% / 51%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 33%
Black 12%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 24%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.3%
Freshman Retention87.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$60,536
10 Years$76,343

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#109
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — EagleBank Arena

Basketball

History & Fun Facts

  • " By the end of 1952, enrollment was 1,192 students.
  • Seventeen freshmen students attended classes at University College in a small renovated elementary school building in Bailey's Crossroads starting in September 1957.
  • In 1958 University College became George Mason College.
  • In 1959, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia selected a permanent name for the college: George Mason College of the University of Virginia.
  • The Fairfax campus construction planning that began in early 1960 showed visible results when the development of the first 40 acres (16 hectares) of Fairfax Campus began in 1962.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

106Above Average

Estimated from VA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
15 mi(26 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
49 mi(85 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
138 mi(239 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles12 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington42 mi
RIC Richmond92 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA408 mi · ~11h 47m drive
New York, NY218 mi · ~6h 18m drive
Hartford, CT317 mi · ~9h 9m drive
Providence, RI373 mi · ~10h 47m drive
Albany, NY323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Syracuse, NY298 mi · ~8h 37m drive
Rochester, NY299 mi · ~8h 38m drive
Buffalo, NY292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Philadelphia, PA138 mi · ~3h 59m drive
Pittsburgh, PA181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Harrisburg, PA102 mi · ~2h 57m drive
Newark, NJ212 mi · ~6h 7m drive
Washington, DC15 mi · ~26 min drive
Baltimore, MD49 mi · ~1h 25m drive
Atlanta, GA528 mi · ~15h 15m drive
Charlotte, NC316 mi · ~9h 8m drive
Raleigh, NC223 mi · ~6h 27m drive
Miami, FL919 mi · ~26h 33m drive
Orlando, FL749 mi · ~21h 38m drive
Tampa, FL808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Nashville, TN551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
New Orleans, LA950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Richmond, VA89 mi · ~2h 34m drive
Chicago, IL582 mi · ~16h 49m drive
Detroit, MI386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
Minneapolis, MN922 mi · ~26h 38m drive
St. Louis, MO694 mi · ~20h 3m drive
Kansas City, MO927 mi · ~26h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN477 mi · ~13h 47m drive
Columbus, OH314 mi · ~9h 4m drive
Cleveland, OH296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Milwaukee, WI624 mi · ~18h 2m drive
Dallas, TX1167 mi · ~33h 43m drive
Houston, TX1203 mi · ~34h 45m drive
Austin, TX1301 mi · ~37h 35m drive
San Antonio, TX1370 mi · ~39h 35m drive
Los Angeles, CA2280 mi · ~65h 52m drive
San Francisco, CA2422 mi · ~69h 58m drive
San Diego, CA2255 mi · ~65h 9m drive
Seattle, WA2312 mi · ~66h 47m drive
Portland, OR2337 mi · ~67h 31m drive
Denver, CO1476 mi · ~42h 38m drive
Phoenix, AZ1963 mi · ~56h 43m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1829 mi · ~52h 50m drive
Honolulu, HI4816 mi · ~139h 8m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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