Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia. 27,752 undergraduates. Admits 87% of applicants.

66%Graduation rate12 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$14,697Average net price per year26% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$79,923Median earnings 10 years after starting36% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$18,500Median debt at graduation14% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($18,500) equals 23% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($79,923). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$9,594
$30,000–$48,000$9,467
$48,001–$75,000$11,341
$75,001–$110,000$16,147
Over $110,000$23,862

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $14,316 in-state, $39,312 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate66%54%
Return for second year86%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$64,977$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$79,923$58,912
Median debt at graduation$18,500$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

234 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications8—$191,397—
Computer Software and Media Applications346$122,523$172,674—
Computer Engineering61$123,274$158,746—
Business Administration, Management and Operations161$122,008$153,253—
Systems Engineering22$114,143$152,860—
Computer and Information Sciences, General515$128,327$148,342—
Homeland Security28—$145,545—
Medical Illustration and Informatics73$101,900$131,115—
Accounting and Related Services76$89,990$130,856—
Economics54$84,389$128,288—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing55$110,299$127,593—
Human Resources Management and Services14—$126,266—
Health and Medical Administrative Services78$75,041$122,513—
Geography and Cartography18—$119,954—
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other0—$118,881—
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology19$82,758$114,031—
Public Policy Analysis81$83,794$111,196—
Public Administration60$88,982$108,013—
Psychology, General42$70,735$106,414—
Civil Engineering36$102,677$106,332—
International Relations and National Security Studies102$77,714$103,899—
Educational/Instructional Media Design15—$89,134—
Educational Administration and Supervision72$75,871$88,859—
Security Science and Technology50$77,022$87,640—
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology89$87,085——
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies60$85,635——
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution70$67,786$84,969—
Public Health64$69,266$84,011—
Communication and Media Studies21$83,092——
Biology, General37$50,054$82,312—
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies21$55,121$80,575—
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other19—$75,698—
History32$59,880$74,813—
Special Education and Teaching242$64,515$74,503—
Social Work133$61,715$73,494—
Student Counseling and Personnel Services50$66,470$70,961—
English Language and Literature, General—$64,132$69,322—
Criminal Justice and Corrections30$68,865——
Curriculum and Instruction228$62,286$68,854—
Music17$57,819$67,357—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas9—$66,756—
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management16$57,142$60,439—
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness19$51,653——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research13———
Area Studies2———
Graphic Communications2———
Information Science/Studies67———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management11———
Biomedical/Medical Engineering14———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering19———
Industrial Engineering9———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services4———
Legal Professions and Studies, Other7———
Literature31———
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology19———
Mathematics7———
Statistics7———
Mathematics and Computer Science9———
International/Globalization Studies30———
Philosophy3———
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology1———
Chemistry6———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences6———
Physics8———
Anthropology14———
Political Science and Government18———
Sociology12———
Visual and Performing Arts, General1———
Fine and Studio Arts5———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions9———
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services7———
Business/Commerce, General31———
Finance and Financial Management Services14———
Real Estate21———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

87%Admission rate
1,274Average SAT of admitted students
25–30ACT middle 50%
16:1Students per faculty member
34%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does George Mason University cost per year?
The average net price at George Mason University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $14,697 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do George Mason University graduates earn?
Former George Mason University students earn a median of $79,923 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at George Mason University?
66% of George Mason University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do George Mason University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from George Mason University is $18,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.