George Mason University
George Mason University is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., and the largest public university in the Commonwealth with about 28,900 undergraduates. Admission is accessible by selective-school standards: roughly 87% of about 26,000 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years post middle-50% SAT scores of 1180–1360 with an average high school GPA near 3.66. Mason is one of the most diverse student bodies in Virginia, and business, marketing, and computing lead its degree areas, reflecting its location in the technology and government corridor of Northern Virginia.
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George Mason admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
George Mason offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
George Mason is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where George Mason's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 17.89% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. George Mason does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How George Mason weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from George Mason's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $24,468 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about George Mason admissions
Is it hard to get into George Mason?＋
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.
What is George Mason's acceptance rate for out-of-state students?＋
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.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for George Mason?＋
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.
Is George Mason test-optional?＋
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.
What GPA do you need to get into George Mason?＋
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.
How much does George Mason cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
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.
What are the most popular majors at George Mason?＋
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.
Does the application essay matter at George Mason?＋
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.
Source: George Mason University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with George Mason. Banner photo by Lucien Dalarun (Richeid), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).