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.
Located in Fairfax, VA and set in a suburban environment, George Mason University is a public university. Its campus spans 817 acres. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at George Mason University is 85.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into George Mason University.
Quick Facts
27,014
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
90%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Here are the most important facts you have to know about admission at George Mason University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 18,001 in 2023. George Mason University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 38% and ACT scores 3%. 14.94% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 50.26% between 1,200 and 1,399, 33.46% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.35% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 36.09, 51.13 between 24-29, 11.28 in the range between 18-23, and 1.5 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.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for George Mason University was 85.2%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right fit for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at George Mason University in 2023 was 39,049.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 10% for that year. There was a total of 27,014 undergraduate students, including 1,324 international students. 2,769 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 13,465 male and 13,597 female full-time students in 2023. 2,617 full-time graduate men and 2,934 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 6,102 Asian students and 3,157 Afro-American students in 2023. 4,524 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,405 identified with more than one race. The school also had 28 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 28 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 825 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 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 costs.
Tuition fees for area resident were $9,796, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $33,960 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $33,960, as well. Full-time students in 2023 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,609.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $33,960 | $3,609 | $37,569 |
| In-State | $9,796 | $3,609 | $13,405 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to set aside about $1,314 for books and supplies during their time at George Mason University.
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 room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at George Mason University was $13,120 in 2023. If you only wanted a room on the campus, you had to pay $7,810 for the 2023 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $8,464.
| Tuition | $ 9,796 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,120 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,314 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,230 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or 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.
According to the most recent data, 2,103 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $15,797 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
10,329 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 11,586. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $40,448,153, and state $34,992,568.
$6,787
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements 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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 3,026 students overall (including freshmen) at George Mason University in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,192 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $40,448,153 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $50,352. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $31,372,545. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $3,991,987 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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2023, this ratio at George Mason University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 3,032. This number included 1,590 men and 1,442 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at George Mason University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about social life at George Mason University.
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.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion 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 has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for George Mason University is 90%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for George Mason University is 85.2%.
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.