Fairfax, VA
George Mason University, in Fairfax, VA, is a public very large school, enrolling around 27,752 students. George Mason University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 87%. Its highest-earning reported major is Homeland Security (Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services), where graduates report median earnings of $143,972/year four years out. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from George Mason University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 18% submitted SAT scores, 1% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Nov 1, 2026
- Regular Decision: Feb 1, 2027
Confirm on George Mason University's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $24,468 more per year in tuition and fees (2.7x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Where do you stand against George Mason University's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow George Mason University weighs your application
From George Mason University's own Common Data Set, 2025-26, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what George Mason University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does George Mason University look for in applicants?
Per George Mason University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is George Mason University's acceptance rate?
George Mason University in Fairfax, VA admits approximately 87% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for George Mason University?
Per George Mason University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1180–1360 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for George Mason University?
Per George Mason University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 25–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does George Mason University cost?
George Mason University's total cost of attendance is reported at $28,604 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
What is out-of-state tuition at George Mason University?
For 2024-25, George Mason University's published tuition and required fees were $38,688 for out-of-state students and $14,220 for in-state students -- $24,468 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for George Mason University?
George Mason University's deadlines are Early Action Nov 1, 2026; Regular Decision Feb 1, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does George Mason University require students to live on campus?
No -- George Mason University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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