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George Mason University
George Mason University admits nearly everyone — 87.5% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether George Mason University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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George Mason University occupies suburban Fairfax, VA — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. International students are a visible presence here — 5.3% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Homeland Security, where graduates median $143,972 four years out. Faculty pay averages $173,832 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 27,752 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 86% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1140 and 1340 — above the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on George Mason University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to George Mason University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1140 and 1340; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 580 | 630 | 670 |
| SAT Math | 560 | 610 | 670 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 28 | 30 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, George Mason University received 22,579 applications and admitted 20,057 (88.8%), with 4,451 enrolling.
How George Mason University compares
| George Mason University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 87.5% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $14,220 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $76,343 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median George Mason University student earns $76,343 — 43% above the Virginia median of $53,453 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, George Mason University prices by residency: $14,220 in-state versus $38,688 out-of-state — a $24,468 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
27,752 undergraduates make George Mason University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
67.8% graduate within six years. Roughly 32% don't — ask a George Mason University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at George Mason University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security | $143,972 |
| Computer Engineering | $117,942 |
| Systems Engineering | $114,815 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $110,754 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $103,074 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $97,049 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,467 |
| Physics | $96,138 |
| Civil Engineering | $93,856 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $93,533 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $91,132 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,878 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $88,080 |
| Economics | $87,548 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $85,224 |
| Chemistry | $77,681 |
| Mathematics | $77,519 |
| Geography and Cartography | $74,692 |
| Political Science and Government | $74,125 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | $72,271 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,511 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $69,399 |
| Marketing | $69,210 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $68,546 |
| Public Administration | $67,973 |
| Public Health | $65,358 |
| Sociology | $64,603 |
| Biology, General | $64,301 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $64,046 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $63,672 |
| Security Science and Technology | $63,182 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $62,727 |
| Psychology, General | $62,563 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $62,383 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $61,565 |
| Sustainability Studies | $61,216 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $61,100 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $60,874 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $59,979 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,024 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $58,931 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $56,071 |
| Social Work | $55,715 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $54,703 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,441 |
| History | $51,168 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $50,086 |
| Graphic Communications | $47,440 |
| Music | $46,765 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $45,656 |
| Dance | $36,901 |
Median earnings for these 51 George Mason University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $76,343 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 20 additional George Mason University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for George Mason University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1140–1340 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 87.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is George Mason University's acceptance rate?
88.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 20,057 admitted from 22,579 applicants.
How much does George Mason University cost?
In-state tuition is $14,220; out-of-state students pay $38,688. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do George Mason University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $76,343 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Virginia
- Ferrum College — 89% admitted
- Eastern Mennonite University — 100% admitted
- Liberty University — 99% admitted
- Longwood University — 90.2% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.