George Mason University, established in 1972 and commonly known as "Mason," is a top-ranking educational institution located in Northern Virginia. Mason has strong research programs that span topic areas such as cancer, climate change, biosciences and information technology. Mason offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and has particularly strong programs in public policy, information technology and engineering, economics, visual and performing arts, conflict resolution, healthcare, biotechnology and life sciences. The university's School of Law has been widely recognized as one of the top law schools in the U.S.
The area where the university's campuses are based, near Washington, D.C., is known as "the technology corridor." George Mason University has four campuses, which are Fairfax Campus, Arlington Campus, Prince William Campus and Mason in Loudoun.
Mason has many innovative study programs such as study abroad programs for anthropology students, astronomy apprenticeships, Capitol Hill internships, and more. The Mason faculty includes many celebrated scholars and historians, as well as cutting-edge researchers.
History
The university is named for George Mason, who lived in Fairfax County, Virginia, and was one of the founding fathers of the United States. George Mason drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a model for the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, or Bill of Rights.
Traditions
For good luck, students at George Mason University have a tradition of rubbing the toe of the George Mason statue before an exam.
Academics
George Mason University follows the semester system, offering fall, spring and summer semesters.
Colleges and Schools
Mason offers more than 100 academic degree programs through its many colleges and schools, which are:
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- College of Science
- Center for Global Education
- Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
- School of Management
- School of Public Policy
- School of Law
- The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering
Student Life
George Mason University has one of the largest residential communities in Virginia, and all freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing.
Social activities, student clubs and organizations are plentiful at Mason, and the university hosts 23 fraternities and 14 sororities.
Athletics
Intercollegiate athletics at George Mason University include basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, Lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, swimming and diving.
Satellite Campuses
George Mason University is comprised of four campuses:
- Fairfax Campus
- Arlington Campus
- Prince William Campus
- Mason in Loudoun.
Community Life
There are many activities available on campus and in the community to keep Mason students busy, from hot cedar saunas to musical concerts or kickboxing classes. The campuses of Mason boast many arts venues and athletics facilities, and many social and cultural activities.
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may give you an idea of the students George Mason University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at George Mason University is around 34,000 students, with undergraduate students making up about 68% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $17,300. There is also a $60 application fee for those applying to a program. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $8,000-$9,600
- Out-of-State: $29,000-$34,350
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $460-$550 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $1,300-$1,600 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 71% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 52% | $7,500 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 54% | $8,141 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, George Mason University may offer services including:- Distance learning
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
- Assisting students to find work
- Child care
Graduation Rates
George Mason University has an overall graduation rate which is approximately 67%.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 43% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 18% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Art and Design Program
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- English Language Program
- Health Services Administration Program
- Law Program
- Music Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Graduate Level Public Health (Outside School of Public Health) Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Mason is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-AAA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Basketball (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Track and Field (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by George Mason University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
- Neuroscience (B, D)
- Biomedical Science (C, M)
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (D, M)
- Biometry, Biometrics (C, D, M)
- Biochemistry (D)
- Epidemiology (C)
- Biostatistics (C)
- Neurobiology and Anatomy (D)
- Bioinformatics
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Business and Marketing Studies
- Accounting (B, C, M)
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Finance (B)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Tourism and Travel Services Management (B)
- Organizational Behavior Studies (M)
- Project Management (M)
- Real Estate (M)
Communication Technology
- Animation (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (M)
- Health Communication (D)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Technology (B, C, D, M)
- Computer Networking (C, M)
- Computer (B, C, D, M)
- Information Science (C, M)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (M)
- Computer Science (B)
- Data Modeling & Database Administration (DBA) (C, M)
Education
- Curriculum and Instruction (C, M)
- Special Education (C, M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (M)
- Education, Teaching of Individuals with Autism (C)
- Health Teacher Education (B)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Education (D)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (C)
- Physical Education (B, M)
- ESL (C)
- Art Teacher Education (M)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (C)
- Education, Teaching Individuals with Vision Impairments (C)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development (D)
- Administration of Special Education (C)
- Adult and Continuing Education (C)
- Higher Education Administration
Engineering
- Civil Engineering (B, D, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, C, D, M)
- Software Engineering (C, M)
- Computer Engineering (B, M)
- Systems Engineering (B, C, D, M)
- Biomedical Engineering (B)
- Industrial Engineering (M)
- Construction Engineering (M)
- Engineering (C)
- Operations Research
English Language and Literature
- Rhetoric and Composition (B)
- English (B)
- English Literature (M)
- Creative Writing (B, M)
- Technical and Business Writing (C)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Russian Studies (B)
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies (M)
- Latin American Studies (B)
- Women's Studies (C)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Foreign Languages and Literatures (B, M)
- Linguistics (D)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B, C, D, M)
- Community Health and Preventive Medicine (B)
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences (B, C)
- Public Health (C, M)
- Healthcare Administration (M)
- Athletic Training (B)
- Health Informatics (M)
- Nursing Practice (D)
- International Public Health, International Health (C, M)
- Clinical Nutrition (C, M)
- Medical Technology (B)
- Hospital and Healthcare Facility Management
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
History
- History (B, D, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (B, C, D, M)
- Dispute Resolution (M)
- International and Global Studies (M)
- Sustainability Studies (B)
- Mathematics and Computer Science (B, C, D, M)
- Biological and Physical Sciences (D)
- Science, Technology and Society (D)
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Legal Professions and Studies
- Law (D)
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (M)
- Legal Professions and Studies (M)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (B)
- Humanistic Studies (D)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
- Statistics (C, M)
- Mathematical Statistics and Probability (D)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Science (B, D, M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, M)
- Religious Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B, M)
- Physics (B, D, M)
- Geology (B)
- Geological and Earth Sciences, Geosciences (D)
- Physical Sciences (B)
- Meteorology (D)
- Astronomy (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B, C, D, M)
- Educational Psychology (M)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Policy (C, D, M)
- Public Administration (B, C, M)
- Social Work (B, M)
- Health Policy Analysis (M)
- Public Administration and Social Service (C, M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (B)
- Forensic Science (B, C, M)
- Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism (M)
- Critical Infrastructure Protection (M)
- Law and Justice Administration (D, M)
Social Sciences
- International Relations (B, M)
- Economics (B, D, M)
- Political Science and Government (B)
- Sociology (B, D, M)
- Anthropology (B, M)
- Geography (B, C, M)
- Political Science (B, D, M)
- Cartography and GIS (C, M)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Visual and Performing Arts (B, M)
- Music Performance (B)
- Cinematography And Film (B)
- Arts Management (C, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Art History (B, M)
- Dance (B, M)
- Music (M)
- Fine Arts and Art Studies (M)
- Art Studies (C)
- Graphic Design (M)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to George Mason University.
- University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC (15 miles away)
- University of Maryland - University College in Adelphi, MD (22 miles away)
- Bowie State University in Bowie, MD (32 miles away)
- University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA (38 miles away)
- University of Maryland - Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD (44 miles away)
Also, check out our college lists below, which can help students compare schools to one another:
- Browse through our complete list of colleges in Virginia
- Review a list of Virginia state universities
