George Mason University
Fairfax, VA4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
703-993-1000
George Mason University is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia. Founded in 1957 as a Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia, George Mason University is named after Founding Father George Mason, a Virginia planter and statesman who authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the basis for the United States Bill of Rights. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
Mason faculty have twice won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Notable alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, former FBI Director James Comey, and Nobel laureate economist James M. Buchanan.
George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia and the 12th largest in the United States. The university's research expenditures totaled $144 million in 2018, which ranked Mason 51st in the nation. The university's research is conducted in over 200 research centers and institutes.
Mason offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees through its 11 schools and colleges. The university's main campus in Fairfax is home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Business, the Volgenau School of Engineering, and the School of Law. The Prince William Campus in Manassas houses the School of Education and Human Development and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. The Arlington Campus, located in Arlington, Virginia, is home to the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs, and the Antonin Scalia Law School.
George Mason University is a diverse community of more than 34,000 students, faculty, and staff from all 50 states and 130 countries. The university's student body is composed of 49% minority students, including 24% African American, 13% Hispanic or Latino, 10% Asian American, and 2% Native American students. The university's faculty and staff are also diverse, with 36% of faculty members and 26% of staff members being minorities.
Mason is a member of the Association of American Universities, the Council of Graduate Schools, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The university is also a member of the Patriot League, a collegiate athletic conference that participates in the NCAA's Division I.
Mason athletics teams compete in 19 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic teams are nicknamed the Patriots and their colors are green and gold. The Patriots have won numerous conference championships and have made several appearances in NCAA Division I tournaments, including the Men's Basketball Tournament and the Men's Soccer Tournament.
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team made history in 2006 when they became the first team from a mid-major conference to reach the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The Patriots were led by head coach Jim Larrañaga and star player Jai Lewis. The team's historic run came to an end in the Final Four, where they lost to the eventual national champion, the University of Florida.
The George Mason Patriots football team began play in 1969 and has competed in Division I-AA (now FCS) since 1986. The team has won two conference championships and made four appearances in the I-AA/FCS playoffs. The Patriots play their home games at George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia.
The George Mason Patriots men's soccer team has won nine conference championships and made eleven appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament, including five trips to the College Cup, the sport's equivalent of the Final Four. The Patriots have also produced numerous professional soccer players, including U.S. Men's National Team members Chris Albright and Jeff Agoos.
The George Mason Patriots women's soccer team has won eight conference championships and made twelve appearances in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament, including three trips to the College Cup. The Patriots have also produced numerous professional soccer players, including U.S. Women's National Team members Carrie Diers and Joanna Lohman.
The George Mason University School of Law was founded in 1972 and is accredited by the American Bar Association. The school offers Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees. The school's faculty includes nationally and internationally renowned scholars, and its alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and former FBI Director James Comey.
The George Mason University School of Business was founded in 1949 and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in business and management. The school's faculty includes scholars who are leaders in their fields, and its alumni include U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
The George Mason University Volgenau School of Engineering was founded in 1957 and is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The school offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering and computer science. The school's
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 38541
Acceptance Rate: 89.20%
Type: Public, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www2.gmu.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid
Annual Costs
Total Cost In-State On-Campus: $29978
Total Cost Out-State On-Campus: $53438
Return on Investment Rating
The estimated cost for four years as an undergraduate at George Mason University is $117288.07. This includes the average cost of attendance for four years plus the interest on the average loan over a ten year repayment minus the average of grants and scholarships per student.
We then contrast this figure with average early-career and mid-career average incomes of graduates of four year programs at George Mason University. For graduates of George Mason University, we saw an average early-career income of $63500.00 and mid-career income of $115100.00. We then ranked the school's value based on how many years of mid-career income it takes to repay the educational costs.