Getting in
For Fall 2025, 26,014 first-year students applied to George Mason, 22,495 were admitted and 4,337 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 86.5%.
Source: George Mason Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 16,236 | 14,222 | 87.6% |
| Out-of-state | 9,778 | 8,273 | 84.6% |
Source: George Mason Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. George Mason's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: George Mason Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. George Mason has a nonbinding early action plan and no early decision plan. The Common Data Set gives no early action counts, so this page shows no early action acceptance rate.
Source: George Mason Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Admission to George Mason and to your major usually come together. Some majors ask for more:
- Computer science and engineering (College of Engineering and Computing). For direct admission you need four years of high school math, including one course beyond Algebra II, plus either a math SAT of 550 or math ACT of 24, or grades of B or higher (not B-) in every math course through Algebra II. Admitted students who miss these start in CEC Undeclared. Information Technology and Statistics have no extra requirement.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Selective Majors (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Nursing (BSN). The School of Nursing reviews freshman applications a second time for direct admission, and admission is highly competitive. Students admitted to the university but not to Nursing start as undeclared majors.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Selective Majors (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Visual and Performing Arts. Every program except the School of Art needs an audition, portfolio review or interview. Film and Computer Game Design portfolios are due by November 7 for early action and February 1 for regular decision; Dance, Music and Theater auditions must be scheduled at least two weeks before the audition date.
Source: George Mason College of Visual and Performing Arts, Undergraduate Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Selective Majors (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
82 majors across 10 schools. Every bachelor's major in George Mason's official 2026-2027 University Catalog, by college or school. Minors, certificates, concentrations and graduate programs are left out.
College of Education and Human Development8
- Elementary Education (BSEd)
- Inclusive Early Childhood Education (BSEd)
- Kinesiology (BS)
- Recreation Management (BS)
- Secondary Education (BSEd)
- Special Education (BSEd)
- Sport Management (BS)
- Tourism and Events Management (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering and Computing11
- Applied Computer Science (BS)
- Bioengineering (BS)
- Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (BS)
- Computer Engineering (BS)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Cyber Security Engineering (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Information Technology (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (BS)
- Statistics (BS)
- Systems and Industrial Engineering (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences23
- Anthropology (BA)
- Art History (BA)
- Communication (BA)
- Creative Writing (BFA)
- Criminology, Law and Society (BA)
- Criminology, Law and Society (BS)
- Economics (BA)
- Economics (BS)
- English (BA)
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA)
- Foreign Languages (BA)
- Global Affairs (BA)
- History (BA)
- Human Development and Family Science (BA)
- Individualized Study (BIS)
- Integrative Studies (BA)
- Integrative Studies (BS)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Psychology (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Religious Studies (BA)
- Russian and Eurasian Studies (BA)
- Sociology (BA)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Public Health5
- Community Health (BS)
- Health Administration (BS)
- Health Informatics (BS)
- Nursing (BSN)
- Social Work (BSW)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Science19
- Astronomy (BS)
- Atmospheric Sciences (BS)
- Biology (BA)
- Biology (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Computational and Data Sciences (BS)
- Environmental Science (BS)
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA)
- Forensic Science (BS)
- Geography (BA)
- Geography (BS)
- Geology (BA)
- Geology (BS)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Medical Laboratory Science (BS)
- Neuroscience (BS)
- Physics (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Visual and Performing Arts9
- Art and Visual Technology (BA)
- Art and Visual Technology (BFA)
- Computer Game Design (BFA)
- Dance (BFA)
- Film and Video Studies (BA)
- Music (BA)
- Music (BM)
- Theater (BA)
- Theater (BFA)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Costello College of Business1
- Business (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution2
- Conflict Analysis and Resolution (BA)
- Conflict Analysis and Resolution (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Schar School of Policy and Government3
- International Security and Law (BA)
- Political Science and International Politics (BA)
- Public Administration (BS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Interdisciplinary Programs1
- Applied Science (BAS)
Source: George Mason University Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | Mid-December | No |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | In the spring | No |
Applications that come in after these deadlines are reviewed on a space-available basis. All decisions are posted in the George Mason Admissions Portal.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Freshman Application Status (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action is nonbinding. Applying by November 1 gives you priority consideration for the Honors College, University Scholars and merit scholarships; regular decision applicants are considered for the Honors College on a space-available basis. The FAFSA or VASA priority date for state and university grants is March 1.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
George Mason has been score optional since 2007: you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores, and students who apply without them are not penalized. Score optional applicants to computer science and engineering majors need four years of high school math, including a course beyond Algebra II, all with grades of B or better. NCAA Division I recruits can also apply without scores.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Score Optional Consideration (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as considered if submitted, not required, for fall 2027 applicants. If you apply with scores, you self-report them, and your admission then depends on official scores arriving before classes start (by August 15 for fall).
Source: George Mason Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked George Mason's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: George Mason Freshman Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at George Mason, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $14,807 | $39,803 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $15,020 | $15,020 |
| Books | $1,380 | $1,380 |
| Transportation | $1,380 | $1,380 |
| Personal expenses | $2,384 | $2,384 |
| Total | $34,971 | $59,967 |
The university's estimated budget for a full-time undergraduate taking 12 to 15 semester hours and living on campus; George Mason gives the items, not a total. Food and housing is the average of the Traditional Double and Suite Double rooms. New freshmen also pay a one-time $350 new student fee, which is not in the totals, and some courses carry extra course or lab fees.
Source: George Mason Admissions and Aid, 2026-27 Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $11,942 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $12,093 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $15,224 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,430 |
| Over $110,000 | $25,894 |
| All incomes | $17,915 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from George Mason's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to George Mason University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA · Public92.3% admitted$23,433 average net price
Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Public86.4% admitted$13,787 average net price
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Public89.2% admitted$15,739 average net price
Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Public90.1% admitted$16,836 average net price
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · Public91.4% admitted$14,638 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.