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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.
Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 87%. The freshman retention rate at George Mason University is 86% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 24. Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about George Mason University.
Quick Facts
28,331
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for George Mason University?
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 22,074 in 2025.
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 19% and ACT scores 2%. 16.9% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 51% between 1,200 and 1,399, 28.6% between 1,000 and 1,199, 3.1% between 800 and 999, and 0.4% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 34, 45 between 24-29, 19 in the range between 18-23, and 3 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.69. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into George Mason University.
Deadlines
The application deadline for George Mason University is August 24.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for George Mason University was 86% in 2025, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect place for you. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 39,763 students.
That year, the school had 9.5% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 28,331, 1590 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 2,892.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 14,089 male and 13,954 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 6,485, and the number of African American students was 3,543. 4,961 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,577 identified with more than one race. The school also had 16 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 37 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 867 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important facts on George Mason University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about George Mason University estimated tuition fees.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $10,392 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $35,388. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $35,388, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $3,924 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,388 | $3,924 | $39,312 |
| In-State | $10,392 | $3,924 | $14,316 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,290.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at George Mason University amounted to $16,156 a year. If you only wanted a dorm room, it cost $8,800 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $8,270.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,392 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,156 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,290 |
| Total Expense | $ 27,838 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at George Mason University.
According to the most recent data, 2,356 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $19,781.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 10,563 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 12,049. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $48,212,823, and state $75,275,140.
$6,944
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
3,814 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. 1,136 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $48,212,823 while the state aid is $13,954. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $42,655,243. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,402,114 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at George Mason University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 2,911 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 1,514 male and 1,397 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at George Mason University.
Its campus is 817 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for George Mason University is 87%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for George Mason University is 86%.
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.