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IPEDS ID: 232186
OPE ID: 00374900
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George Mason University
4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
General information:  (703) 993-1000
Website:  www.gmu.edu
Type:  4-year, Public
Awards offered:  Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Campus setting:  Suburb: Large
Campus housing:  Yes
Student population:  33,320 (20,782 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  16 to 1
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open-close General Information
Admissionsadmissions.gmu.edu/
Apply Onlineadmissions.gmu.edu/applyNow/
Financial Aidfinancialaid.gmu.edu/
Net Price Calculatorfinancialaid.gmu.edu/net-price-calculator/
Mission Statement
  www.gmu.edu/resources/visitors/vision/mission.html
Carnegie Classification
Research Universities (high research activity)
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable
Federal Aid
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants and other federal aid (e.g. Direct Loans).
Undergraduate students enrolled who are formally registered with office of disability services
3% or less
Special Learning Opportunities
ROTC (Army, Air Force)
Teacher certification
Distance education opportunities - undergraduate level
Distance education opportunities - graduate level
Study abroad
Student Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
On-campus day care for students' children
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2011Full timePart time
Total faculty1,3741,119
Instructional1,1711,079
Research and public service20340
Total graduate assistants-1,176
Instructional-552
Research and public service-624
open-close Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Student Expenses
Estimated Expenses for Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Estimated expenses for academic year2009-20102010-20112011-20122012-2013% change 2011-2012 to 2012-2013
Tuition and fees
In-state$8,024$8,684$9,266$9,6203.8%
Out-of-state$24,008$25,448$26,744$27,7643.8%
Books and supplies$900$900$900$1,12024.4%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$8,990$9,595$10,300$10,3150.1%
Other$2,740$2,740$2,740$3,57730.5%
Off Campus
Room and board$11,680$11,680$11,680$12,0303.0%
Other$3,560$3,560$3,560$4,59429.0%
Off Campus with Family
Other$3,100$3,100$3,100$4,76553.7%
Total Expenses2009-20102010-20112011-20122012-2013% change 2011-2012 to 2012-2013
In-state
On Campus$20,654$21,919$23,206$24,6326.1%
Off Campus$24,164$24,824$25,406$27,3647.7%
Off Campus with Family$12,024$12,684$13,266$15,50516.9%
Out-of-state
On Campus$36,638$38,683$40,684$42,7765.1%
Off Campus$40,148$41,588$42,884$45,5086.1%
Off Campus with Family$28,008$29,448$30,744$33,6499.4%
close
This calculator uses estimated student expenses data to estimate the total tuition and fees charged over the duration of a typical 4-year program at this school.
1. Select starting academic year
2. Select tuition inflation rate
 
 
% (0-100 allowed)
  • The output is only an estimate and not a guarantee of the actual amount the student may be charged; it is not binding on the Secretary, the institution of higher education, or the State; and it may change, subject to the availability of financial assistance, State appropriations, and other factors. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • The estimated price does not include room and board, books and supplies, &c. (where applicable) and is based on previous years' tuition and fees data. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Estimated yearly tuition and fees may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Estimate the total tuition and fee costs over the duration of a typical program.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Average graduate student tuition and fees for academic year2012-2013
In-state tuition$9,080
In-state fees$2,610
Out-of-state tuition$25,010
Out-of-state fees$2,610
Alternative Tuition Plans
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition plan
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
  • Mason does not have an institutional Prepaid tuition plan; however, the State of Virginia has a Virginia Prepaid Education Program which allows families to prepay the cost of tuition and fees. Plan information is at http://www.virginia529.com/vpep/index.php
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2010-2011
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Type of AidNumber receiving aidPercent receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Any student financial aid11,74668%————
Grant or scholarship aid1,19446%$9,814,182$8,220
Federal grants65525%$3,359,024$5,128
Pell grants65225%$2,787,114$4,275
Other federal grants62324%$571,910$918
State/local government grant or scholarships67826%$2,841,507$4,191
Institutional grants or scholarships42917%$3,613,651$8,423
Student loan aid1,35453%$8,356,568$6,172
Federal student loans1,33452%$7,037,039$5,275
Other student loans944%$1,319,529$14,038
  • 1 Includes students receiving Federal work study aid and aid from other sources not listed above.
All Undergraduate Students
Type of AidNumber receiving aidPercent receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Grant or scholarship aid17,89539%$56,421,892$7,147
Pell grants5,35627%$22,329,505$4,169
Federal student loans8,93744%$63,009,633$7,050
  • 1 Grant or scholarship aid includes aid received, from the federal government, state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
open-close Net Price
Average Net Price for Full-Time Beginning Students
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who paid the in-state or in-district tuition rate and were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.
2008-20092009-20102010-2011
Average net price$11,195$11,087$12,628
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who paid the in-state or in-district tuition rate and were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2008-20092009-20102010-2011
$0 – $30,000$8,152$8,084$9,105
$30,001 – $48,000$9,458$9,348$10,846
$48,001 – $75,000$12,674$13,145$14,293
$75,001 – $110,000$16,062$16,348$17,445
$110,001 and more$17,015$17,581$19,371
  • Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
  • Title IV aid to students includes grant aid, work study aid, and loan aid. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Subsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan, and Unsubsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan. For those Title IV recipients, net price is reported by income category and includes students who received federal aid even if none of that aid was provided in the form of grants. While Title IV status defines the cohort of student for which the data are reported, the definition of net price remains the same – total cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Net Price Calculator
An institution’s net price calculator allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending that institution for a particular student.
Visit this institution's net price calculator
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2011
Total enrollment33,320
Undergraduate enrollment20,782
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment2,503
Graduate enrollment12,538
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 78% Part-time: 22%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 48% Female: 52%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 0% Asian: 17% Black or African American: 9% Hispanic/Latino: 10% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0% White: 47% Two or more races: 4% Race/ethnicity unknown: 9% Non-resident alien: 4%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 76% 25 and over: 24% Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 75% Out-of-state: 20% Foreign countries: 1% Unknown: 3%
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates, Fall 2010.
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 31% Part-time: 69%
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate application fee (2012-2013): $60
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2012
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants17,6217,8179,804
Percent admitted55%55%55%
Percent admitted who enrolled28%30%26%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequiredRecommended
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school rankX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT)X
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language)X
Test Scores: Fall 2012 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scoresNumberPercent
SAT2,05876%
ACT33212%
Test Scores25th Percentile*75th Percentile**
NOTES:
*  25% of students scored at or below
** 25% of students scored above
  • Data apply to first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
  • Institutions are asked to report test scores only if they are required for admission.
SAT Critical Reading520620
SAT Math530630
ACT Composite2328
ACT English2228
ACT Math2327
  • Mason has an admission option that allows students who feel their SAT/ACT scores do not adequately reflect their level of academic achievement or performance potential to request to have their admission decision made without considering their test scores. SAT/ACT writing scores are not used for admission. Applicants to select programs in the Arts and music are required to submit portfolios of their work.
open-close Retention and Graduation Rates
First-to-Second Year Retention Rates

Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall.

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Student retention: Full-time students: 87% Part-time students: 50%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2010 and Returned in Fall 2011
Overall Graduation Rate and Transfer-Out Rate

The overall graduation rate is also known as the "Student Right to Know" or IPEDS graduation rate. It tracks the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students to see if they complete a degree or other award such as a certificate within 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

Some institutions also report a transfer-out rate, which is the percentage of the full-time, first-time students who transferred to another institution.

Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 48 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2011.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 64% Transfer-out rate: 20%
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rates

Bachelor’s degree graduation rates measure the percentage of entering students beginning their studies full-time and are planning to get a bachelor’s degree and who complete their degree program within a specified amount of time.

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor's degree rate: 4-year: 39% 6-year: 64% 8-year: 67%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: Male: 58% Female: 70%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: American Indian or Alaska Native: 67% Asian: 73% Black or African American: 61% Hispanic/Latino: 56% White: 63% Race/ethnicity unknown: 64% Non-resident alien: 73%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2011-2012
Completions are the number of awards conferred by program and award level.
sort byProgramBachelorMasterDoctorPostgraduate
Certificate
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
  • d identifies programs and award levels that are offered as a distance education program. For program category totals, d is shown if one or more programs in the category are offered as a distance education program.
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender and Group Studies
Area Studies, Other0---
Latin American Studies3---
Russian Studies2---
Women's Studies---6
Category total5--6
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry--1-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other---2
Biology/Biological Sciences, General26512--
Biomedical Sciences, General---52
Biometry/Biometrics-43-
Biostatistics---4
Epidemiology-2-6
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other-85-
Neurobiology and Anatomy---1
Neuroscience31-3-
Category total296261265
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting29619-10
Business Administration and Management, General186153d--
Finance, General186---
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other118---
Marketing/Marketing Management, General97---
Organizational Behavior Studies-31--
Project Management-21--
Real Estate-9--
Tourism and Travel Services Management58---
Category total941233d-10
Communication Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects3---
Category total3---
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Health Communication--8-
Speech Communication and Rhetoric-23--
Category total-238-
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General6964d22
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance-27--
Computer Science11---
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications-74-27
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration---5
Information Science/Studies-56-1
Information Technology268d411917
Category total348d262d2152
Education
Administration of Special Education---2
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching---2
Art Teacher Education-11--
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services-49-3
Curriculum and Instruction-410-41d
Education, General--16-
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism---118
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness---3
Educational Leadership and Administration, General-73--
Educational/Instructional Technology---11d
Health Teacher Education92---
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration---3
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching2110--
Reading Teacher Education---18
Special Education and Teaching, General-199-20d
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other--2-
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor---7
Category total11375218228d
Engineering
Civil Engineering, General53241-
Computer Engineering, General242911
Computer Software Engineering-38-5
Electrical and Electronics Engineering452514
Engineering, General12--7
Industrial Engineering-23--
Systems Engineering2331d619d
Category total157170d936d
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing-33--
English Language and Literature, General163---
English Literature (British and Commonwealth)-67--
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing---5
Rhetoric and Composition273---
Category total436100-5
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General3112--
Category total3112--
Health Professions and Related Programs
Athletic Training/Trainer9---
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist9---
Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist---18
Community Health and Preventive Medicine67---
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other623-8d
Health/Health Care Administration/Management-40--
Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management---1
International Public Health/International Health-9-2
Nursing Practice--8-
Public Health, General-83--
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse210d104d92
Category total357d239d1731d
History
History, General137533-
Category total137533-
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration-31-
Criminal Justice/Police Science186---
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism-34--
Forensic Science and Technology-22-3
Category total1865913
Legal Professions and Studies
Law--216-
Category total--216-
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Humanities/Humanistic Studies--8-
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other140---
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies80---
Category total220-8-
Mathematics and Statistics
Applied Mathematics, Other---1
Mathematical Statistics and Probability--3-
Mathematics and Statistics, Other---7
Mathematics, General38143-
Statistics, General-11-11
Category total3825619
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Biological and Physical Sciences--10-
Cognitive Science---1
Dispute Resolution-18--
Gerontology---1
International/Global Studies-17--
Mathematics and Computer Science11481
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other-136-3
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution5257912
Science, Technology and Society--2-
Category total532422918
Natural Resources and Conservation
Environmental Science11917-
Category total11917-
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy126--
Religion/Religious Studies9---
Category total216--
Physical Sciences
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General--3-
Chemistry, General347--
Geology/Earth Science, General2267-
Physical Sciences--1-
Physical Sciences, Other5---
Physics, General866-
Category total691917-
Psychology
Educational Psychology-18--
Psychology, General32666203
Category total32684203
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Health Policy Analysis-2--
Public Administration2497-2
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other-18d-3
Public Policy Analysis, General-131137
Social Work3957--
Category total63305d1312
Social Sciences
Anthropology345--
Economics, General1485011-
Geographic Information Science and Cartography-1-26
Geography2515-11
International Relations and Affairs17495--
Political Science and Government, General-261-
Political Science and Government, Other225---
Sociology5310--
Category total6592021237
Visual and Performing Arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation288--
Art/Art Studies, General---3
Cinematography and Film/Video Production35---
Dance, General10---
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General21---
Fine and Studio Arts Management-33-13
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other-1--
Graphic Design-1--
Music Performance, General43---
Music, General-19--
Music, Other--1-
Visual and Performing Arts, General1216--
Category total25868116
Grand total4,7182,899428541
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
2011-2012 Varsity Athletes
NCAA Division I-AAA MenWomen
All Track Combined13398
Baseball35–
Basketball1716
Golf12–
Lacrosse–27
Rowing–59
Soccer2730
Softball–28
Swimming and Diving3021
Tennis1311
Volleyball1916
Wrestling29–
open-close Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
AgencyPeriods of AccreditationStatus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges1/1/1972 -  Accredited
Specialized Accreditation
Agency / ProgramPeriods of AccreditationStatus
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Law (LAW) - Professional schools1/1/1980 -  Accredited
American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation
Clinical Psychology (CLPSY) - PhD Doctoral programs5/15/1987 -  Accredited
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Health Services Administration (HSA) - Graduate programs in health services administration11/9/2009 -  Accredited
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels10/9/2004 -  Accredited
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels10/9/2004 -  Accredited
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
English Language12/1/2003 -  Accredited
National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
Art and Design (ART) - Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs(!)10/1/2010 -  Accredited
National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation
Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs(!)9/1/1993 -  Accredited
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools9/1/1973 -  Accredited
  • (!) Estimated date
open-close Campus Security
2011 Crime Statistics
Arrests - On-Campus200920102011
Illegal weapons possession103
Drug law violations7177151
Liquor law violations16211199
Arrests - On-Campus Residence Halls !200920102011
Illegal weapons possession100
Drug law violations294140
Liquor law violations696221
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus200920102011
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible558
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery010
Aggravated assault120
Burglary42231
Motor vehicle theft450
Arson200
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus Residence Halls !200920102011
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible544
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery000
Aggravated assault100
Burglary41418
Motor vehicle theft000
Arson100
  • (!) Residence Halls are a subset of On-Campus statistics
  • The crime data reported by the institutions have not been subjected to independent verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the Department cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data reported here.
  • These data do not include incidents that: (a) took place off campus on public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from the Campus; (b) took place on a noncampus building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) incidents at buildings/property owned or controlled by an institution but is not contiguous to the institution. For further information, see http://ope.ed.gov/security.
open-close Cohort Default Rates
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year2009
Default rate2.6%
Number in default108
Number in repayment4,035
Aid Programs
  • Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
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National Center for Education Statistics - http://nces.ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Education Sciences
National Center for Education Statistics
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