George Mason University

Not especially by selective-school standards. George Mason admitted about 86.5% of roughly 26,000 applicants in the Fall 2025 cycle, so most students who meet the academic profile are admitted. Enrolled first-years carry an average GPA around 3.66, and rigor of course load and GPA are the two factors Mason rates as very important.

Out-of-state applicants are admitted at a rate close to Virginia residents. In the Fall 2025 CDS, George Mason admitted 84.6% of out-of-state applicants (8,273 of 9,778) versus 87.6% of in-state applicants (14,222 of 16,236). State residency is listed only as a considered factor, so applying from outside Virginia carries little admissions penalty, though cost differs sharply.

Yes, a 1300 is above the typical admitted student at George Mason. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1180–1360 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT, so a 1300 sits in the upper half, near the 75th-percentile mark of 1360. Mason is test-optional, so you can also apply without scores.

Yes. George Mason is test-optional (it calls this Score Optional), so you may apply without SAT or ACT scores. Only about 18% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT and 1% an ACT. If you do submit, scores are weighed as a considered factor alongside your GPA and course rigor, which matter more.

George Mason enrolls first-years with an average high school GPA of about 3.66, and roughly 69% had a GPA of 3.5 or higher. There is no firm cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are the two factors Mason weighs as very important, so strong grades in a challenging schedule are the clearest path to admission.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $18,048 for Virginia residents and $42,516 for out-of-state students. Around 25% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $21,685, and Mason meets about 67% of demonstrated need on average.

Business and marketing is the largest area at about 18% of bachelor's degrees, followed by computer and information sciences at roughly 15%. Health professions, the social sciences, psychology, and engineering round out the most popular fields, reflecting Mason's location in the Northern Virginia technology and government corridor.

It plays a supporting role. George Mason rates the application essay as a considered factor in its review, below academic GPA and course rigor, which are very important. Because admission leans heavily on your transcript, a clear, specific essay is most useful for adding context to your grades rather than for overcoming a weak academic record.

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