George Mason University

https://www.gmu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$10,392

2.94% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$18,823

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

87.5%

25,234 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

39,766

70.7% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

67.8%

2,485 Graduates

About

George Mason University is a higher education institution located in Fairfax County, VA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at George Mason University were General Business (974 degrees awarded), Information Technology (416 degrees), and General Psychology (351 degrees).

In 2024, 10,754 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at George Mason University. 55.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,076 degrees), 2.1 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,941 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at George Mason University is $10,392, which is $−21,528 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by Ron Cogswell

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at George Mason University is $10,392, which is $21,528 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $18,823.

In 2024, 60% of undergraduate students attending George Mason University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 31% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$10,392

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at George Mason University was $10,392. The cost of tuition at George Mason University is $−21,528 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of George Mason University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$18,823

2024 Value

0.407%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 George Mason University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,823. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of George Mason University grew by 0.407%.

This chart compares the average net price of George Mason University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,151

Room and Board

$1,278

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at George Mason University was of $15,151 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 12.7% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,278. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at George Mason University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

60%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

31%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

60% of undergraduate students at George Mason University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.69% with respect to 2023, when 59% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at George Mason University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

George Mason University received 25,234 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 11.8% annual growth. Out of those 25,234 applicants, 22,074 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 87.5% acceptance rate.

There were 39,766 students enrolled at George Mason University in 2024. 19% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

George Mason University has an overall enrollment yield of 20.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

87.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

22,074

Accepted Out of 25,234

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of George Mason University was 87.5% (22,074 admissions from 25,234 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 88.8%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 11.8%, while admissions grew by 10.1%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of George Mason University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

19%

Submission Percentage (2024)

829

Scores Submitted (2024)

19% of enrolled first-time students at George Mason University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

George Mason University had a total enrollment of 39,766 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at George Mason University is 28,103 students and the part-time enrollment is 11,663. This means that 70.7% of students enrolled at George Mason University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at George Mason University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 33.8% White, 19.7% Asian, 15.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Black or African American, 4.3% Two or More Races, 0.204% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0528% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at George Mason University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (17%), followed by White Female (15.6%) and Asian Male (12.5%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.1%), followed by White Male (13.5%) and Asian Female (4.62%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

70.7%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at George Mason University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 39,766 students. The full-time enrollment at George Mason University is 28,103 and the part-time enrollment is 11,663. This means that 70.7% of students enrolled at George Mason University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at George Mason University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

86%

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. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at George Mason University was 86%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), George Mason University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at George Mason University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
13,432 enrolled students
Asian
7,817 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
6,091 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at George Mason University is 33.8% White, 19.7% Asian, 15.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Black or African American, 4.3% Two or More Races, 0.204% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0528% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,616 students (4.06%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 1,198 more women than men received degrees from George Mason University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at George Mason University is white (4,076 degrees awarded). There were 2.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,941 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at George Mason University is General Business (974 degrees awarded), followed by Information Technology (416 degrees) and General Psychology (351 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at George Mason University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,773 degrees awarded), Communication Technologies (79 degrees), and Protective Services (617 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at George Mason University are Software developers (637,093 people), Other managers (205,353 people), Police officers (148,352 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (146,594 people), and Computer occupations, all other (138,063 people).

The most specialized majors at George Mason University in 2024 are Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,773 degrees awarded), Communication Technologies (79 degrees), Protective Services (617 degrees), Legal (304 degrees), and History (127 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at George Mason University are Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes, Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at George Mason University are Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,773 degrees awarded), Communication Technologies (79 degrees), Protective Services (617 degrees), Legal (304 degrees), and History (127 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at George Mason University are Computer Systems Design (664,543 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (364,036 people), Elementary & secondary schools (279,100 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (193,952 people), and Legal services (142,890 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by George Mason University.

Most Common (2024)

General Business
974 degrees awarded
Information Technology
416 degrees awarded
General Psychology
351 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at George Mason University was General Business with 974 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at George Mason University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,778

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

5,976

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 4,778 degrees were awarded to men at George Mason University, which is 0.8 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (5,976).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at George Mason University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 601 degrees were awarded to men at George Mason University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 2.7 times more than the 223 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 495 degrees were awarded to men at George Mason University in General Business, which is 0.971 times less than the 510 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

49%

100% Completion Time

71%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 49% of students graduating from George Mason University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 71% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 73% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (78.5%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at George Mason University is Female and Asian (78.5% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 5.76% of graduates (143 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
4,076 degrees awarded
Asian
1,941 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,443 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at George Mason University is white (4,076 degrees awarded). There were 2.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,941 degrees).

3.92% of degree recipients (422 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
2,744 degrees awarded
White Female
2,724 degrees awarded
White Female
2,672 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at George Mason University is white female (2,744 degrees awarded). There were 1.01 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,724 degrees).

Operations

George Mason University has an endowment valued at nearly $207M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 29M (14%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, George Mason University had a total salary expenditure of 1.25B. George Mason University employs 540 Associate professors, 448 Professors and 384 Assistant professors. Most academics at George Mason University are Female Associate professor (283), Male Professor (279), and Male Associate professor (257).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at George Mason University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 633 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 424 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 412 employees.

Endowment

$207M

2024 Endowment

25.7%

growth from 2023

George Mason University has an endowment valued at about $207M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of George Mason University grew 25.7% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $45.3M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at George Mason University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$188M - Federal
$8.43M - State
$2.39M - Local

As of 2024, George Mason University received $188M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $8.43M from state grants and contracts, and $2.39M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$606M

2024 Salaries

6.24%

growth from 2023

In 2024, George Mason University paid a median of $606M in salaries, which represents 48.4% of their overall expenditure ($1.25B) and a 6.24% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 13% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 9.17% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$196M

Instructional Salaries

1,442

Number of Employees

In 2024, George Mason University paid a total of $196M to 1,442 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at George Mason University were Business and Financial Operations with 633 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 424 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 412 employees.

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