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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.
George Mason University is a public university located in Fairfax, VA. This institution follows 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. Read more about what George Mason University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
28,331
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. How difficult is it to get admitted to George Mason University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 22,074 in 2025.
Test Scores
19% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 2% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 16.9% of the first-year students 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% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.4% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen 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 you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 24.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for George Mason University was 86%, 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. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at George Mason University in 2025 was 39,763.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9.5% for that year. There was a total of 28,331 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 1,590 international students. The school admitted a total of 2,892 transfer students.
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. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at George Mason University.
This school had 6,485 Asian students and 3,543 Afro-American students in 2025. 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, and 37 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 867 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit 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
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for George Mason University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $10,392. Tuition fees were $34,848 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $34,848, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $3,828 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $34,848 | $3,828 | $38,676 |
| In-State | $10,392 | $3,828 | $14,220 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,288.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at George Mason University amounted to $15,270 a year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $8,270 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,970.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,392 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,270 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,288 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,950 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. 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 figures show that financial help was given to 2,356 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $19,781.
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.
There were 10,563 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 12,049. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $48,212,823, and state $75,275,140.
$6,944
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.
3,814 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 1,136 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $48,212,823 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $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
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at George Mason University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 2,911 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 1,514 men and 1,397 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. Check out some details about students' life at George Mason University.
It has a campus size of 817 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest 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 data indicate that the acceptance rate for George Mason University is 87%.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.
