George Mason University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. For the most recent reporting cycle, George Mason University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 87%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1260 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,915 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for George Mason University?

51% of enrolled students at George Mason University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What does George Mason University weight in admissions?

George Mason University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores George Mason University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 625. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does George Mason University actually cost?

Published tuition is $14,220 for in-state students and $38,688 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,725 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,915 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for George Mason University

Will my child graduate from George Mason University?

These predict outcomes at George Mason University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at George Mason University

The most popular undergraduate programs at George Mason University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. Across all programs, George Mason University confers roughly 2,943 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer and Information Sciences, General program report a median income of about $111,615 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is George Mason University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), George Mason University disclosed 46 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 26 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at George Mason University?

About 21% of undergraduates at George Mason University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 3% of men join a fraternity and 4% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Virginia parents ask about

• Virginia Commonwealth University
  93% acceptance
• Washington and Lee University
  14% acceptance
• University of Richmond
  22% acceptance
• Liberty University
  99% acceptance
• Longwood University
  90% acceptance
• Radford University
  90% acceptance
• University of Virginia-Main Campus
  17% acceptance
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  55% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about George Mason University