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George Mason University (GMU): Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses
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677 acre campus- Estd. 1949
Last updated on 27 Oct '25George Mason UniversityWhat's new?
The application deadline at George Mason University for the undergraduate students for the Fall 2025 intake is Jun 1, 2025.
George Mason University About
George Mason University History
If we talk about GMU history, then the idea for George Mason University was born in 1949 when the Northern Virginia Center opened under the direction of John Norville Gibson Finely. In 1957 GMU was started as a branch campus of the University of Virginia. The school comprised of a single building and 17 students. In 1958, the Town of Fairfax purchased 150 acres and donated the land to the University of Virginia for a permanent branch campus. The following year, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors selected the name George Mason College. Then, in 1964, the construction of the campus’ first four buildings was completed. In 1966, the General Assembly authorized the expansion of George Mason College into a 4-year, degree-granting institute and gave it the long-range mandate to expand into a major regional university. In 1972, Governor A. Linwood Holton signed legislation to separate George Mason College from the University of Virginia. Since this year, there has been rapid growth and innovative planning in the university’s development. Enrollment at the university has risen to more than 40,000 students. In 1979, GMU got the authority to grant doctoral degrees. In the same year, the university acquitted what became George Mason University School of Law, located at Mason Square. In 2022, GMU marked 50 years from the day when Virginia Governor A. Linwood Holton signed legislation to separate George Mason College from the University of Virginia.
Check out the below videos of George Mason University for more Information:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
GMU is one of the top research universities in the US, holding an R1 designation from the Carnegie classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is one of the largest public research university in Virginia, and account for almost 60% of the growth of higher education in the state. The faculty at the university conducts world-class research, scholarship, and creative work that is recognised around the national and world.
After submitting the George Mason University admission application, GMU will take 6-8 weeks to release a decision on your application. After recieving the admission decision, you can continue to your application.
George Mason University admission requirements for international students vary as per the course levels. The details are given below:
- Undergraduate Courses: Secondary or high school qualification is required for admission to undergraduate courses of GMU
- Graduate Courses: Equivalent of a 4-year’s bachelor’s degree from an appropriate accredited international institute of higher education. Generally, a 3.0 GPA is required for admission to graduate courses of GMU
- English language proficiency scores: To take admission to GMU, the applicants are required to submit English language proficiency test results. The accepted ELP tests are IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo
Also Read: Requirements to Study in USA for International Students
George Mason University Ranking 2025
George Mason University secured its place in the year 2025 among the top universities in the world with #1001 ranking according to the QS. This ranking has seen a declined trend when compared to its past year rank of #801 in 2024.
On the other hand, Shiksha Polpularity Ranking ranked the university at #99 position and THE (Times Higher Education) ranked it at #401 in 2024 at University Ranking.
The George Mason University courses have also secured ranks #121, #108, #124 for its MIM, BBA, MS courses, respectively.
#444
#105
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
George Mason secures a global rank of #1001 as part of the Global University Rankings 2025, given by a popular global university ranking publication.
Additionally, the same publication also ranks the institute #591 for Sustainability.
On a national-level, GMU secures a rank of #99 as part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings.
Shiksha, also ranks some of its popular courses:
| Course | Ranking |
|---|---|
| MS | #124 |
| LL.M. | #18 |
| M.A. | #70 |
| BBA | #108 |
| MSN | #77 |
| Others PG | #114 |
| MIM | #121 |
George Mason University Courses
George Mason University Courses includes 78 UG programs & 132 PG programs. MS, BSc & B Tech are some popular courses among students at the GMU campus, with IT, Psychology & Marketing being some popular streams among GMU students.
The university houses has 10 colleges and schools under its institutional umbrella including the Antonin Scalia Law School & the College of Education and Human Development, among others. Additionally, the GMU also offers more than 100 graduate-level certifications for its students.
Listed below are some prominent UG courses offered by the university:
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
- BS in Computer Engineering
- BS in Information Technology
- BBA
- BFA in Dance
GMU also offers a vast range of PG courses, however, some are more popular among students than others, these are listed below:
- MBA
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Civil & Infrastructure Engineering
- LLM
- Masters in Public Policy (MPP)
For more course related information, check out the table below:
4.2(1)11 - 36 months
Nanditha H + 120 others got admitted through us.
124 students got admitted to this university
124 students got admitted to this university
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Yes, George Mason is considered among the best business schools in the region, & in the US, with Shiksha ranking its Business & Management study programme #171 as part of its the latest course-specific rankings.
Further, another popular publication ranks it #80 as part of its part-time MBA category at the national level.
GMU graduates are also exposed to opportunities to work as part of some of the top companies in the US such as, Amazon, Nike, Deloitte, NBCUniversal & Fairfax County among others.
George Mason Univeristy is known to offer courses across a number of industry relevant streams including: Engineering, Business Administration & Management, Psychology, Information Technology, Criminal & Political Science, among others.
However, as per student reviews curated from an unofficial source, the Business & Commerce stream is among its most pursued one, with its BBA & MBA course, driving a decent chunk of its overall admission numbers.
George Mason University Admission 2026
To get admission to George Mason University, Indian students should apply through Official Application Portal. George Mason University admission requirements, which comprise previous scores, required GPA, standardised test scores, essays, resumes, SOPs and LORs must be submitted to complete the application process by all Indian applicants. Also, Indian students also have to submit scores of entrance or English language proficiency exams, such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, SAT and GMAT, must also be submitted by students.
- Application fees :USD 75 - 80
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
George Mason Univeristy is a public university that operates with the aim of making quality education accessible to all members of the student community. Its acceptance rate of 90% is in-line with that goal.
However, admission at the institute should not be taken for granted & prospective students must still satisfy its GPA requirement or equivalent that stands at 3.0 on a 4.0 scale while also securing acceptable scores in their language test scores to have a good chance of admisssions to GMU.
George Mason University is renowned for offering the best programs all over the nation. The application fee at George Mason University is non-refundable. Known more about Admisiion Process at GMU Moreover, the application fee at GMU for international students for both UG and graduate programs is mentioned below:
Type of Program | Application Fee |
|---|---|
Graduate programs | USD 75 (non-refundable) |
UG programs | USD 80 (non-refundable) |
George Mason University is one of the top choices for domestic and international students to continue their higher studies. The application at GMU for the UG programme is USD 80 and for a graduate program, it is USD 75. Both the application fee is non-refundable. Moreover, GMU takes 6 to 8 weeks to revert. Students who have completed their application will have to wait for 6 to 8 weeks to hear the decision of GMU. Furthermore, some particular programs at GMU have certain times in which the decision will be shared with students.
George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University Scholarships
George Mason University offers various scholarships for Indian and international students. George Mason University offers a variety of resources for its students to cover their tuition fees and other costs. George Mason University scholarships for Indian and international students are as follows:
This scholarship is for those students who are brilliant in their academics. This scholarship is extendable for a maximum of four years. All students will be automatically considered for this scholarship. Hence, no separate application is required.
Students can also read Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA
You are Welcome Here Scholarship:
George Mason University, international students can apply for the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship. Moreover, this scholarship is open to all UG students of all academic majors and fields of study. Furthermore, this scholarship is applied to tuition costs.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
The University Scholars Award is the highest academic distinction that Geroge Mason University offers to undergraduate students. The University Scholar Award covers the full cost of tuition over four years. Recipients are selected from the Honors College applicants who apply by the priority deadline, November 1; no other application is necessary. Every year, Mason awards millions of dollars in scholarships to incoming freshmen.
All international students can apply for #YouareWelcomeHere Scholarship. This scholarship is open to first-year undergraduate international students of all academic majors and fields, and is applied to tuition costs. This scholarship covers a minimum of 50% tuition fee for the first year of study and is renewable for the second year as long as the student has a good academic standing. To apply for this scholarship, the applicants have to first apply to Mason as a freshman and then they have complete the scholarship application, which includes an essay or a video describing the leadership skills in school or community and how these skills can be applied to Mason.
Also Read: Scholarships to Study in USA
18 monthsGeorge Mason UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
3 Verified Reviews- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
(1) 1 person found this helpfulGeorge Mason University Placements
George Mason University Placement rate for the Graduate Class of 2024 stands at 85%, while the median salary earned by graduates stands at USD 70,000 (INR 59.4 L) with the likes of Amazon, Deloitte, NIke, NBCUniversal & AARP among others.
GMU graduates are very much of demand to some of the top organizations in the US & abroad, primarily down to their skillset, & a better sense of the demands of the modern day industry, having exposed to the rigours very early over the duration of thier academic journey at the institute.
The table below gives a detailed breakdown of the Class of 2024 graduate profile:
| Student Profile | Pecentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Employed | 60% |
| Continuing Education | 39% |
| Service (Military & Volunteer) | 1% |
To know more about George Mason placements, feel free to download the PDF: George Mason University Placements
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
George Mason University average salary for graduates is around USD 70,000 or INR 59.4 L (USD 1 = INR 84.92) annually. Education, Technology, Healthcare, Consulting & the US Government or Military are some popular sectors in which GMU graduates (Class of 2024) found jobs, at a career outcome rate of 85%.
Giveb below is a detailed breakdown of student placement profile at GMU:
| George Mason University Placement | Validation |
|---|---|
| Employed | 60% |
| Continuing Education | 39% |
| Service (Militrary or Government) | 1% |
George Mason University placements are impressive as graduates get job offers within a few months after graduation. Top employers such as IBM, Deloitte, Amazon, etc. hire graduates and offer them healthy salary packages. Mentioned below are the highlights of George Mason University job outcomes in 2024:
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Placement rate | 85% |
Top Industries | Education, Government/Military, Technology, Healthcare & Consulting |
Top Employers | Amazon, Apple, Google, Accenture, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley & Nike |
Median Salary | USD 70,000 or INR 59.4 L |
Sources through which Mason graduates got jobs | Internship to job offer Faculty connections Handshake job database Career fairs and networking events |
George Mason University Fees
George Mason University fees estimated for UG students is USD 38,688 (INR 32.8 L) per year, while that of PG students is USD 36,477 (INR 30.9 L). The estimated annual tuition fees for Law students is USD 40,984 (INR 34.75 L).
Students must also account for the cost asoociated living with living as part of student accommmodation, either on campus or as part of off-campus facilities.
Given below is a detailed breakdown of the GMU estimated cost of attendance:
| Fee Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| Housing | USD 10,734-USD 16,103 (INR 91 K) |
| Transportation | USD 1,329-USD 2,903 (INR 1.1 L-INR 2.46 L) |
| Personal Expenses | USD 2,338-USD 6,188 (INR 1.98 L-INR 5.25 L) |
| Books | USD 1,288 (INR 1.1 L) |
| Student Fee | USD 60-USD 350 (INR 5 K-INR 30 K) |
For the 2025/26 detailed course-wise tuition fees, download the PDF: George Mason University Fees
For detailed cost of attendance data, download: George Mason University Cost of Attendance
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(44 courses) | INR 16 L - 54 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11-36 months Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 - 93, PTE: 59 - 67, Duolingo: 120 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, GRE, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(12 courses) | INR 16 L - 54 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11 months-2 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 88 - 93, PTE: 59 - 67, Duolingo: 120 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above, GRE, GMAT |
B.E. / B.Tech(14 courses) | INR 30 L - 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 & Above, SAT |
M.A.(21 courses) | INR 23 L - 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months-2 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 88 & Above, PTE: 67 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above |
BFA(4 courses) | INR 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
B.Sc.(19 courses) | INR 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 & Above, SAT |
MSN(1 course) | INR 32 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo |
B.A.(17 courses) | INR 35 L - 38 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
BBA(6 courses) | INR 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 & Above, SAT |
B.J.M.C.(1 course) | INR 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Majority of Mason’s departments post their part-time jobs for students on Handshake. This is Mason’s job search platform for part-time, on-campus, work-study, internships, and full-time jobs. Undergraduate, graduate, non-degree students, F1 students, J1-students, etc. qualify for part-time jobs.
George Mason UniversityStudent profile
Others
48%
Asian
22%
Hispanic
16%
Black
11%
24 and under
82%
25 and over
17%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
George Mason University Notable Alumni
George Mason University is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Moreover GMU has more than 240,000 alumni spread all over the world with several well-known figures who have been a part of the George Mason University alumni family over the years. Some famous personalities who are part of GMU are such as Muna AbuSulayman, Gabe Norwood, John Driscoll, Will Thomas, Sibel Edmonds, etc. A few more alumni who are making GMU proud of them are listed below:
|
Name of Personality |
Profession |
Pictures |
|---|---|---|
|
Archie Kao |
American Actor and Film Producer |
 |
|
Anousheh Ansari |
CEO of the X Prize Foundation |
 |
|
Hala Gorani |
American Journalist |
 |
|
Dayton Moore |
Former President of the Kansas City Royals |
 |
|
Zainab Salbi |
Iraqi-American activist and writer |
 |
|
M. Brian Blake |
President of Georgia State University |
 |
|
Alex Plank |
American Advocate |
 |
|
Angie Goff |
American Broadcaster |
 |
|
Rhea Seehorn |
American Actress |
 |
|
Tyler Cowen |
American Economist and Columnist |
 |
|
Peter Leeson |
American Economist |
 |
|
Karl Rove |
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff |
 |
|
Sharon Creech |
American Writer |
 |
|
Stephen Moore |
American Writer |
 |
George Mason University vs Arizona State University vs Texas A&M University: Which is better?
George Mason University, Arizona State University, and Texas A&M University are part of the most esteemed universities in the United States. Each of these institutions form part of the top 100 colleges & universities in the US as per Shiksha Popularity Rankings.
While they have thier own set of pros & cons, choosing between them, however, can be made easier by taking into account some important parameters such as: campus location, rankings, acceptance rate, & popular courses among other factors.
Given below is a comparison between GM, ASU & Texas A&M:
|
Criteria |
George Mason University |
Arizona State University |
Texas A&M University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States |
1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States |
College Station, Texas, United States |
|
Acceptance Rate |
91% |
90% |
63% |
|
Popular Programs |
Civil Engineering, Business Economics
|
Computer Science, Humanities, Business |
Computer Science, MBA |
|
Tuition Fee (MS) |
INR 15.2 L-INR 52.6 L |
INR 18.2 L-INR 54.3 L |
INR 12.7 L-INR 49.0 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
#107 |
#45 |
#58 |
Compare George Mason University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 15.6 L - 53.73 L | #117 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 10.65 L - 28.3 L | #127 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 12 L - 24.7 L | #127 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 43.71 L - 54.8 L | #88 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 11.58 L - 46.52 L | #88 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 18.06 L - 71.1 L | #132 US News, 2026 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
George Mason University (GMU) & Arizona State University (ASU) are two of the best higher educational institutions in their respective regions. While, GMU is based in Fairfax, Virginia, ASU has set up camp in Tempe, Arizona.
They share similar acceptance rates, with the GMU acceptance rate being 91%, while ASU's being 90%. There are some parameters that are not as common though, as shown in the comparison below:
Criteria | George Mason University | Arizona State University |
|---|---|---|
Location | 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States | 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States |
Acceptance Rate | 91% | 90% |
Popular Programs | Civil Engineering, Business Economics
| Computer Science, Humanities, Business |
Tuition Fee (MS) | INR 15.2 L-INR 52.6 L | INR 18.2 L-INR 54.3 L |
Shiksha Popularity Rankings | #99 | #45 |
The George Mason University acceptance rate stands at 91%, that suggests the institute is selective, but only to an limited extent, & generally is very lineant at granting admissions.
The same cannot be said for Texas A&M, however, as its acceptance rate of 63%, makes it much more selective, when compared with George Mason.
Prospective students should find it relatively easier to secure admissions at GMU than doing so at Texas A&M.
George Mason UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
George Mason University Campus Life
There are four campuses of George Mason University. The Fairfax location campus being the main campus of GMU. It is the principal center for all undergraduate studies. The campus spanning around 677-wooded acres is only 25 minutes away from Downtown Washington D.C. It offers academic programs in nine colleges and schools. Other campuses of the university are Mason Square, Science and Technology Campus, Korea.
Student Clubs
The GMU campus is deemed by many as one of the most vibrant campuses around, offering over 500+ student clubs & organizations & hosting over 1,000 thousand events a year.
The campus's e-Sports club is among the most popular ones around as the university aims to build camaradrie among students & fostering their skills to compete as part of intercollegiate competitions.
Some other popular student clubs include: Fraternity & Sorority, Patriot Activities Council, Spirit Squad Marketing Team & Student Government among others.
Dining
The univeristy campus offers a number of dining facilities, serving freshly cooked meals across a number of international cuisines such as Indian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican & North American among others. Resident dining facilities are available at: Southside, Ike's, The Globe & The Spot.
GMU also holds the recognition for featuring among the top 100 allergy-friendly colleges for the year 2023 offering a number of simple servings that does not include: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy & gluten among others.
Housing
GMU maintains student residence facilities as part of its university campus, with seperate accommodation available for both Undergraduate & Upper-classmen at Masonvale & Beacon Hall.
For UG accommodation, there are 40 residential halls offering accommodation in a wide variety including apartments & suites. For Upper-classmen, accommodation is available in the form of townhouses.
Commonly asked questions On Others
Per student reviews posted on Shiksha Study Abroad, George Mason attains a rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5, which suggests, students are very much satisfied with their life as part of the university campus.
Further, 60% of the students to have shared their GMU experience, have not faced discrimination at any point in time over the course of their educational journey.
Listed below is a description of student experience as per reviews posted by them on Shiksha:
| Parameter | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.1 |
| Student Life | 4.5 |
| Indian Food | 4.3 |
| Safety | 4.3 |
| Public Transportation | 4.3 |
| Permanent Immigration | 4.0 |
| Post-study jobs | 4.3 |
| Internships | 3.8 |
| Part-time Work | 3.8 |
As per data curated from the official university housing portal of GMU, the annual room cost is around USD 26,597 (INR 22.75 L). This fee includes the room fee of around USD 14,010 (INR 12 L) as well as Support Fees of around USD 12,587 (INR 10.75 L).
The fee covers costs such as: utilities, electricity, Wi-fi & the maintenance costs.
Alternatively, students can also look for off-campus accommodation by referring GMU's off-campus housing resource that lists a number of properties available to be rented near the university campus.
George Mason University FAQs
Established in 1972, George Mason University is a public, comprehensive, research university located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Mason is Virginia’s the largest public research university provides a college experience like no other.
As per the U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is now a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity. In the Washington Monthly 2022 college guide and rankings, the university ranks nationally at the 107th position.
Some of the best restaurants near GMU are:
- Brion’s Grill
- Oh George Tables and Taphouse
- Sushi Bar
- Halai Guys
- Samurai Japanese Steakhouse
- Bangkok Golden Thai
A few of the things that GMU students can do on the weekends are:
- Volunteer at one of the local animal rescues
- Hike just to the west in Shenandoah National Park or Great Falls
- Check the seasonal events from Waterford Day to Apple Blossom festival and many other Civil War sites
- Do sightseeing in DC – the museums, China Town, art galleries, etc.
Some of the best reasons to attend George Mason University are:
- Majority of the professors are understanding and approachable. Life experiences shared by the professors are invaluable
- There is a diverse student population
- Beautiful university and the campus is beautiful
- Instructional spaces are good to exceptional (depends on the department)
George Mason University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Yes, many of the MS courses offered at George Mason University are ranked highly by many top-ranking bodies. As per Shiskha Populatity rankings, its ranked at #123. Look at the other rankings for MS at this Uni -
| Ranking Body | MS Rank |
|---|---|
| US News | 71 |
| THE | 301 |
| ARWU | 401 |
| QS | 601 |
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
International students go for MS at George Mason University because of the practical curriculum and strong research. MS at this university can be considered very popular among international students as many of the specialisations like Civil Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engin
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
International students who want to pursue the George Mason University courses should apply by Oct 1 every year for UG admissions. These are non-binding admissions, and most of the students apply for them. Then come the regular decision admission deadlines.
K
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 months ago
There is a test-optional policy at George Mason University, meaning students can apply to this university without a SAT or ACT score. Under this policy, international students can choose whether to submit the scores or not.
Although by submitting these scores, one can raise their chances of getting
B
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 months ago
There is a minimum GPA requirement for international students to apply to George Mason University. Along with some other important eligibility requirements. For UG applications, a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is needed for an applicant to be considered.
Mentioned below are the other GMU admissi
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George Mason University Founders HallGeorge Mason UniversityLocation
| University City | Fairfax, Virginia, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 24,164 |
George Mason UniversityCampuses
4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
George Mason UniversityContact Information
4400 University Drive, MSN 4C3
Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
Fairfax ( Virginia)
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