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George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
George Mason University, often referred to as GMU, is a public research university located in Fairfax, Virginia. Established in 1949, the university is named after George Mason, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and an influential figure in the drafting of the United States Constitution. With multiple campuses across Virginia, GMU is the largest public research university in the state and is known for its innovative programs and diverse community.
GMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, spanning various fields such as business, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. The university also houses specialized research centers and institutes, fostering a rich intellectual environment for students to engage in cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Committed to experiential learning and practical education, GMU emphasizes hands-on experiences, internships, and cooperative education opportunities to prepare students for successful careers upon graduation.
As a vibrant and inclusive institution, George Mason University prides itself on fostering a diverse and global community. The student body is made up of individuals from all 50 states and more than 130 countries, creating a multicultural and inspiring atmosphere where students can learn from each other's unique perspectives. With a range of on-campus activities, sports teams, and student organizations, GMU offers a lively and engaging campus life that complements academics and promotes personal growth and development. Overall, George Mason University provides a dynamic learning environment that nurtures innovation, fosters intellectual curiosity, and prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century.
George Mason University is a public university located in Fairfax, VA and set in a suburban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at George Mason University is 87% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 24. To find out more about what George Mason University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
27,666
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
88%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Here are the most vital information you have to know about admission at George Mason University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 20,057 in 2024. George Mason University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 35% and ACT scores 3%. 13.3% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 52.2% between 1,200 and 1,399, 32.2% between 1,000 and 1,199, 2.1% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.2% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 30.5, 53.2 between 24-29, 14.9 in the range between 18-23, 0.7 between 12-17, and 0.7 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.68. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into George Mason University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 24.
88%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for George Mason University was 87% in 2024, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at George Mason University in 2024 was 39,528.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9.7% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 27,666, 1290 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 2,806 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 13,930 male and 13,962 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 2,617 full-time graduate male and 2,934 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 6,384 Asian students and 3,343 Afro-American students in 2024. 4,724 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,519 identified with more than one race. The school also had 25 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 30 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 845 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at George Mason University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about George Mason University estimated tuition costs.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $10,398. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $34,859 in 2024. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $34,859, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,832.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $34,859 | $3,832 | $38,691 |
| In-State | $10,398 | $3,832 | $14,230 |
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,981.
| Tuition | $ 10,398 |
| Total Expense | $ 10,398 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at George Mason University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 2,083 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $16,473.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
10,166 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 11,423. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $42,681,767, and state $52,335,379.
$6,463
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
3,442 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,247 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $42,681,767 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $11,443. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $38,087,919. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,216,125 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2024, this ratio at George Mason University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 2,960. This number included 1,554 male and 1,406 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at George Mason University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at George Mason University.
Its campus spans 817 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? George Mason University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
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George Mason University is located in Fairfax, VA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for George Mason University is 88%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for George Mason University is 87%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.