George Mason University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia, enrolling about 27,752 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 87.48% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $76,343 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $14,220
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,915 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 87.48% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 27,752 81.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 67.84%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 30.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 5.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 53.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1274
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,560
- Applicants (IPEDS): 22,579
- Room & Board: $15,725 annual estimate
George Mason University: what the data shows
Common questions about George Mason University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is George Mason University?
George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA (ZIP 22030-4444).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is George Mason University public or private?
George Mason University is a Public institution.
How much does George Mason University cost?
Published tuition: $14,220 in-state, $38,688 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,915.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,942 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,093 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,224 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,430 |
| $110,001+ | $25,894 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $56,880.
How hard is it to get into George Mason University?
Admission rate: 87.48%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1274 and midpoint ACT 28.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is George Mason University?
Total enrollment: 27,752 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 33,560 students.
Graduate enrollment: 11,432 students.
About 81% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at George Mason University?
150%-time completion rate: 67.84%.
First-year retention: 86.0%.
What do graduates of George Mason University earn?
Median earnings: $60,536 six years after entry; $76,343 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
30.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is George Mason University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business/Commerce, General (1,005 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (824 completions)
- Information Technology (480 completions)
- Psychology, General (409 completions)
- Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration (346 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (335 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Police Science (331 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (285 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (261 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (260 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is George Mason University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 87.48%; completion rate 67.84%; median earnings $76,343 at 10 years; net price $17,915. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$14,220
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at George Mason University was $14,220.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,915
2024 Value
In 2024 George Mason University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,915.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$71,660 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,915 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$56,880 4-Year In-State Tuition
$154,752 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$15,725 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,288 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$31,233 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$124,932 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for George Mason University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
30.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
30.71% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at George Mason University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for George Mason University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $9,908 | $28,592 | $18,305 |
| 2014 | $10,382 | $29,960 | $18,738 |
| 2015 | $10,952 | $31,598 | $19,245 |
| 2016 | $11,300 | $32,582 | $19,479 |
| 2017 | $11,924 | $34,370 | $19,779 |
| 2018 | $12,462 | $35,922 | $20,321 |
| 2019 | $12,564 | $36,024 | $21,048 |
| 2020 | $13,014 | $37,410 | $19,551 |
| 2021 | $13,119 | $36,579 | $18,581 |
| 2022 | $13,401 | $38,983 | $17,385 |
| 2023 | $13,815 | $39,397 | $18,287 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
87.48% Acceptance Rate
22,579 Total Applicants
20,057 Students Admitted
4,451 First-Time Students Enrolled
22.19% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1274
ACT Average: 28
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
George Mason University reported total enrollment of about 27,752 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 51% male and 49% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (31.7%), Asian (23.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (17.9%). About 30.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
81.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at George Mason University in 2024 is 27,752 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 33,560 students. Graduate enrollment is about 11,432 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
86.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 31.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
46.38% 100% Completion Time
67.84% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 46.38% of students graduating from George Mason University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 51% male / 49% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 73% male / 27% female
- Information Technology: 72% male / 28% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for George Mason University.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$76,343 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
25.54% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
965.35% Return on Investment
2.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for George Mason University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 181 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business/Commerce, General: 1,005 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 824 completions
3. Information Technology: 480 completions
4. Psychology, General: 409 completions
5. Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration: 346 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 335 completions
7. Criminal Justice/Police Science: 331 completions
8. Special Education and Teaching, General: 285 completions
9. Curriculum and Instruction: 261 completions
Most popular programs at George Mason University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for George Mason University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for George Mason University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 53.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,486
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,232
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, VA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business/Commerce, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Information Technology. Enrollment is approximately 27,752 students. Student body composition includes White (31.7%), Asian (23.4%), Hispanic or Latino (17.9%). The admission rate is 87.48%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1274. The 150%-time completion rate is 67.84%. Approximately 30.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 181 distinct degree programs, George Mason University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is GMU located?
George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA. The institution is also known as GMU.
What is GMU's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at George Mason University (GMU) is 87.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 22,579 applicants and 20,057 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does GMU cost?
Reported tuition is $14,220 and average net price is $17,915 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $15,725 annually.
What is the student body demographics at GMU?
George Mason University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 33,560 students, White (31.7%), Asian (23.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend GMU?
About 30.0% of students at George Mason University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for George Mason University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, George Mason University reports midpoint SAT about 1274 and midpoint ACT about 28.
What do graduates of George Mason University earn?
Median earnings are $60,536 six years after entry and $76,343 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at George Mason University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 67.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do George Mason University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is George Mason University public or private?
George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, VA.
Is George Mason University an HBCU?
No. George Mason University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is George Mason University a tribal college?
No. George Mason University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college profile
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs George Mason University
- Fairfax, Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs George Mason University
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.