Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
George Mason University is a public national university located in Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at George Mason University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $66,148 10 years after enrolling, 6th in Virginia, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, George Mason University bachelor students earn 11% more than the national average. George Mason University is ranked 6th in Virginia.
George Mason University’s median net annual cost of $19,551 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at George Mason University sorted by number of graduates - Computer science, Quantitative methods Mgmt., Psychology, Criminal Justice, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Biology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$19,551
Average years to graduate
4.5
Accounting
Rank: #72
Economic score: 1.62
Finance
Rank: #62
Economic score: 1.86
Registered Nursing
Rank: #217
Economic score: 1.91
Business Administration
Rank: #155
Economic score: 2.23
Marketing
Rank: #79
Economic score: 2.49
Economics
Rank: #119
Economic score: 2.59
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #100
Economic score: 3.35
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
Rank: #7
Economic score: 3.35
Public Health
Rank: #32
Economic score: 3.64
International Relations
Rank: #37
Economic score: 4.48
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at George Mason University - Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Computer software, Computer science, Educ. Administration, Business Administration - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Accounting
Rank: #38
Economic score: 0.22
Computer Engineering
Rank: #13
Economic score: 0.36
International Relations
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.41
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #40
Economic score: 0.41
Public Administration
Rank: #32
Economic score: 0.43
Public Policy Analysis
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.43
Economics
Rank: #13
Economic score: 0.57
Psychology
Rank: #64
Economic score: 0.61
Peace & Conflict RES
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.66
Social Work
Rank: #95
Economic score: 0.72
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.5 years. 76% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at George Mason University is 14% higher than the state average, and 8% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At George Mason University, Pell Grant recipients represent 29% of the measured graduating class, 6% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at George Mason University graduates within 4.5 years.
George Mason University is in the top 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
George Mason University’s economic mobility score of 25.81 is calculated by adjusting the 1.21 economic score of lower-income students by the 29% pell grant recipients within the student body. George Mason University’s EMS of 25.81 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at George Mason University pays $19,551 a year, $10,427 less than the $29,978 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $19,551
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At George Mason University, 70% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $19,551 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 44% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,606. This is 10% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,006
Pell grants
$4,762
State grants
$4,059
Institutional grants
$7,796
George Mason University offers 13 online bachelor programs, 10 of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level George Mason University offers 28 programs, 22 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
41
Hybrid programs
9
Percentage of programs online
25%
George Mason University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 91% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 20,527 applicants, of which 18,741 were admitted and 3,986 enrolled. George Mason University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
84%
83%
Female
56%
59%
First time
45%
59%
In-state
81%
68%
1st generation
30%
35%
White
37%
52%
Black
11%
14%
Hispanic
16%
15%
Asian
22%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
14%
12%