George Mason University
#105 in National Universities (tie)
Overview
George Mason University is a public institution that was founded in 1972. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,014 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 817 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. George Mason University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #105. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,812; out-of-state tuition and fees are $37,976.
George Mason University has three suburban campus locations near the District of Columbia in northern Virginia, as well as an international campus in Songdo, Korea. The school’s Fairfax, Virginia, campus is the hub of undergraduate student life. Students can live in traditional coed residence halls, suites and apartments. The main campus houses more than 6,200 students and 75 percent of freshman students live on campus in one of the residence halls.
There are many ways for students to get involved. There are more than three dozen fraternities and sororities, as well as over 500 student clubs and organizations. The Patriot Activities Council plans major events, like Homecoming and Welcome Week. The school's Patriots sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The university also has a number of graduate schools and programs, including the well-regarded George Mason School of Law.
George Mason University is a public institution that was founded in 1972. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,014 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 817 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. George Mason University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #105. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,812; out-of-state tuition and fees are $37,976.
George Mason University has three suburban campus locations near the District of Columbia in northern Virginia, as well as an international campus in Songdo, Korea. The school’s Fairfax, Virginia, campus is the hub of undergraduate student life. Students can live in traditional coed residence halls, suites and apartments. The main campus houses more than 6,200 students and 75 percent of freshman students live on campus in one of the residence halls.
There are many ways for students to get involved. There are more than three dozen fraternities and sororities, as well as over 500 student clubs and organizations. The Patriot Activities Council plans major events, like Homecoming and Welcome Week. The school's Patriots sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The university also has a number of graduate schools and programs, including the well-regarded George Mason School of Law.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
N/A
In-state tuition and fees
$13,812
Undergraduate Enrollment
27,014
Acceptance Rate
90%
From the School
Mason Is All Together Different
In just 50 years, George Mason University has become Virginia’s largest, most diverse, and highest-ranked university for innovation by rejecting the traditional university model of exclusivity. Mason embraces a different approach, welcoming all who are prepared for the academic rigor of an R1 research institution, educating students in a research-intensive environment, and graduating them at rates that surpass the national norm.
- Nationally ranked as a top 50 public university
- Best in Virginia for advancing social mobility, innovation, and inclusivity
Mason’s Campuses
Mason’s beautiful 677-acre campus in Fairfax, Virginia, is located just outside Washington, D.C. Mason also has campuses and sites in Arlington, Prince William County, and Front Royal, Virginia; and in Songdo, South Korea.
- Total student population of 40,000
- 5,800+ students living on campus in 40+ residence halls
- 200+ degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional levels
A Uniquely Diverse and Welcoming Community
Mason’s students hail from all 50 states and 130 countries, representing the broadest spectrum of origins, identities, circumstances, and ideologies.
That diversity in Mason’s community contributes to the university’s culture of encouraging students to take intellectual risks and freely share ideas, resulting in an environment that both nurtures and challenges students, and often garners recognition for many of them via national and international fellowships and awards.
- Ranked in the top 10 universities nationally for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
- Virginia’s only Best of the Best University according to Campus Pride Index
Academic Programs with Real-World Application
Mason’s reputation for bold innovation is on full display with a strong and diverse portfolio of academic programs that span the arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and more. Each has been intentionally created and shaped to directly address the world’s greatest challenges.
Unparalleled Location Leads to Unparalleled Access
Mason’s prime location just minutes from the nation’s capital puts it at the crossroads of government, industry, and research, attracting engaged and dedicated faculty members who lead in their fields.
Mason students have access to unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities to secure careers at national and international companies and organizations. And with its high graduation rates, Mason delivers on its promise to get students on the path to their future, faster.
- Nearly nine in ten new Mason alumni report advancing their career within six months of graduation
- Mason alumni work with companies like Amazon, Deloitte, and Northrup Grumman, and organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, the CIA, NASA, and the White House
- The Mason alumni network is 225,000+ strong
Two-thirds of alumni remain in the area to help the next generation of Mason students make the world a better place for themselves and their communities.
Mason Is All Together Different
In just 50 years, George Mason University has become Virginia’s largest, most diverse, and highest-ranked university for innovation by rejecting the traditional university model of exclusivity. Mason embraces a different approach, welcoming all who are prepared for the academic rigor of an R1 research institution, educating students in a research-intensive environment, and graduating them at rates that surpass the national norm.
- Nationally ranked as a top 50 public university
- Best in Virginia for advancing social mobility, innovation, and inclusivity
Mason’s Campuses
Mason’s beautiful 677-acre campus in Fairfax, Virginia, is located just outside Washington, D.C. Mason also has campuses and sites in Arlington, Prince William County, and Front Royal, Virginia; and in Songdo, South Korea.
- Total student population of 40,000
- 5,800+ students living on campus in 40+ residence halls
- 200+ degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional levels
A Uniquely Diverse and Welcoming Community
Mason’s students hail from all 50 states and 130 countries, representing the broadest spectrum of origins, identities, circumstances, and ideologies.
That diversity in Mason’s community contributes to the university’s culture of encouraging students to take intellectual risks and freely share ideas, resulting in an environment that both nurtures and challenges students, and often garners recognition for many of them via national and international fellowships and awards.
- Ranked in the top 10 universities nationally for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
- Virginia’s only Best of the Best University according to Campus Pride Index
Academic Programs with Real-World Application
Mason’s reputation for bold innovation is on full display with a strong and diverse portfolio of academic programs that span the arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and more. Each has been intentionally created and shaped to directly address the world’s greatest challenges.
Unparalleled Location Leads to Unparalleled Access
Mason’s prime location just minutes from the nation’s capital puts it at the crossroads of government, industry, and research, attracting engaged and dedicated faculty members who lead in their fields.
Mason students have access to unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities to secure careers at national and international companies and organizations. And with its high graduation rates, Mason delivers on its promise to get students on the path to their future, faster.
- Nearly nine in ten new Mason alumni report advancing their career within six months of graduation
- Mason alumni work with companies like Amazon, Deloitte, and Northrup Grumman, and organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, the CIA, NASA, and the White House
- The Mason alumni network is 225,000+ strong
Two-thirds of alumni remain in the area to help the next generation of Mason students make the world a better place for themselves and their communities.
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Sponsored Content
2024 Rankings
Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.
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Admissions
Cost
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$37,976
In-State Tuition & Fees
$13,812
Room & Board
$15,151(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$19,151
$18,581
$18,581
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$37,976
In-State Tuition & Fees
$13,812
Room & Board
$15,151(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$19,151
*Average in-state cost after aid
Academics
49%
16:1
35%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
20%
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
13%
N/A
Health Professions and Related Programs
8%
N/A
Social Sciences
8%
N/A
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
8%
N/A
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Faculty Research Impact
Bibliometric Rank
113
Bibliometrics is the statistical analyses of publications and citations for the purpose of measuring faculty research impact.Publications Cited in Top 25% of Journals
62%
Publications Cited in Top 5% of Journals
17%
Total Papers published between 2018-2022
11,283
Citations Per Publication
12:1
Top 100 for Computer Science
Sponsored
Mason’s Department of Computer Science is one of the fastest-growing of its kind in Virginia, with undergraduate and graduate programs ranked in the top-100 nationally. The department’s award-winning, world-class faculty are committed to making computing education accessible to students from all backgrounds and at all levels, whether they take courses in person, online, or for their bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, or a graduate certificate.
Learn MorePick the Perfect Major
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Students
27,014
Graduate Enrollment
12,035
Total Enrollment
39,049
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
21,366
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
57%
Minority Enrollment
57%
Minority Enrollment
34%
White
23%
Asian
17%
Hispanic
12%
Black
5%
Two or more races
5%
International
3%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
110+
Sports Teams
22
Fraternities
19
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
49%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
53%
Average Debt at Graduation
$31,190
$51,415
$51,415
Graduation Rate
49%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
53%
Average Debt at Graduation
$31,190
Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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