George Mason University
George Mason University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
George Mason University at a Glance
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the university is named in honor of George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States.
1949
77 years old
$258M
$257.6 million (2025)
40,000
28,364 undergrad · 10,742 grad
2,128
953 acres
Identity
How to Apply to George Mason University
Official admissions pageJune 1
February 1 (Early Action)
Is George Mason University Worth It?
George Mason University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $17,915/year, it's priced 12% below average, while graduates go on to earn $76,343 — 42% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: George Mason University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How George Mason University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 30 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | California State University-Sacramento | 97 | $9,338 | $64,876 |
| #11 | George Mason University | 73 | $17,915 | $76,343 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of George Mason University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at George Mason University
The highest-earning program at George Mason University is Computer Science at $69,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $21,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from George Mason University earns $69,400, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $21,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,360 in median debt vs. $23,500 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,915/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $69,400 | $69,400 | $25,360 |
| Systems Engineering | $68,400 | $68,400 | $24,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,300 | $64,300 | $22,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,300 | $64,300 | $13,825 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $22,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,500 | $60,500 | $22,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $59,500 | $59,500 | $19,265 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,800 | $56,800 | $20,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,300 | $56,300 | $20,500 |
| Economics | $49,600 | $49,600 | $21,078 |
| Mathematics | $45,300 | $45,300 | $24,004 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,900 | $44,900 | $19,750 |
| Marketing | $44,600 | $44,600 | $20,729 |
| Public Administration | $43,500 | $43,500 | $21,763 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,800 | $41,800 | $18,500 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | $41,100 | $41,100 | $18,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,700 | $38,700 | $18,750 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $38,600 | $38,600 | $23,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,200 | $38,200 | $22,822 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $37,300 | $37,300 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,300 | $36,300 | $23,500 |
| Sociology | $35,600 | $35,600 | $21,147 |
| Music | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,900 | $34,900 | $20,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $34,400 | $34,400 | $19,000 |
| Biology, General | $33,800 | $33,800 | $20,336 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $33,700 | $33,700 | $19,313 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $33,500 | $33,500 | $17,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,200 | $33,200 | $20,985 |
| Public Health | $33,100 | $33,100 | $22,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $32,500 | $32,500 | $19,000 |
| History | $31,700 | $31,700 | $18,500 |
| Social Work | $31,300 | $31,300 | $23,125 |
| Psychology, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $20,037 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $23,125 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $27,800 | $27,800 | $19,500 |
| Graphic Communications | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry | $25,300 | $25,300 | $19,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,000 | $21,000 | $23,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fairfax, VA
- Student Body
- 27,752 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,915
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $76,343
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500