← Back to collegesGeorge 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
Admit rate87%
SAT range1160–1360
ACT range25–30
Undergrads27,752
Yield (admits who enroll)23%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)
Cost & outcomes
Cost of attendance$28,604
4-year grad rate69%
Median earnings, 10yr out$76,343
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
How George Mason University weighs your application
From George Mason University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
Academic factorsRigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankNot considered
Academic GPAImportant
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayConsidered
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factorsInterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesConsidered
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesConsidered
First generationNot considered
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what George Mason University weighs in your application
Paying it back
Undergrads taking federal loans31%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out73%
"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
Biological and Biomedical SciencesNeurobiology and Neurosciences$68,546/yr
Biology, General$64,301/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesManagement Sciences and Quantitative Methods$97,049/yr
Accounting and Related Services$91,132/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$88,080/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$85,224/yr
Marketing$69,210/yr
Hospitality Administration/Management$62,727/yr
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support ServicesGraphic Communications$47,440/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesComputer and Information Sciences, General$110,754/yr
EducationTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$59,979/yr
EngineeringComputer Engineering$117,942/yr
Systems Engineering$114,815/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$103,074/yr
Mechanical Engineering$96,467/yr
Civil Engineering$93,856/yr
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$93,533/yr
English Language and Literature/LettersRhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$62,383/yr
English Language and Literature, General$56,071/yr
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human SciencesHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$61,565/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$58,931/yr
Health Professions and Related ProgramsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$89,878/yr
Public Health$65,358/yr
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other$64,046/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$59,024/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesHomeland Security$143,972/yr
Criminal Justice and Corrections$69,511/yr
Security Science and Technology$63,182/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$61,100/yr
Mathematics and Statistics Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesPeace Studies and Conflict Resolution$72,271/yr
Sustainability Studies$61,216/yr
Natural Resources and ConservationNatural Resources Conservation and Research$60,874/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness StudiesSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$63,672/yr
Physical SciencesPhysics$96,138/yr
Chemistry$77,681/yr
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$53,441/yr
PsychologyPsychology, General$62,563/yr
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsPublic Administration$67,973/yr
Social Work$55,715/yr
Social SciencesEconomics$87,548/yr
Geography and Cartography$74,692/yr
Political Science and Government$74,125/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$69,399/yr
Sociology$64,603/yr
Visual and Performing ArtsVisual and Performing Arts, General$54,703/yr
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$50,086/yr
Music$46,765/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$45,656/yr
Dance$36,901/yr
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
On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity6,354
Typical room charge$7,810
Typical board charge$5,310
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
GPARequired
Class rankNot considered
RecommendationsConsidered, not required
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 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?
Admitted students at George Mason University typically score between 1160–1360 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for George Mason University?
Admitted students at George Mason University typically score between 25–30 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
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.
When is the application deadline for George Mason University?
George Mason University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), 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.