University in United States
Fairfax, VA, United States
University profile
George Mason University is a public, comprehensive research university established by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the National Capital Region. Its main campus is at Fairfax, about 20 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. It is the largest public research university in Virginia, with more than 40,000 students from all 50 states and 130 countries, and holds the Carnegie R1 research classification.
The university began in 1957 as a branch of the University of Virginia and became an independent university in 1972. It teaches on regional campuses in Fairfax, Arlington (Mason Square) and Prince William County (the Science and Technology Campus), and runs an international branch campus in Songdo, South Korea. Instructional and research sites include Herndon, Lorton, Woodbridge and Front Royal.
Academic work is organised in ten colleges and schools plus the Honors College:
The university offers 78 undergraduate degrees and about 130 graduate and professional degree programmes, with more than 100 graduate-level certificates. It has Virginia's first School of Computing and first College of Public Health, and is recognised for cybersecurity, quantum science, robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. The Carter School's graduate degrees in conflict resolution were the first of their kind in the world, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation is run with the Smithsonian Institution.
The Fairfax Campus covers 677 acres and has more than 40 residence halls housing over 6,000 students, four dining halls, the Center for the Arts, EagleBank Arena, the Mason Observatory and a 120,000-square-foot Recreation and Athletic Complex. About 75% of first-year students live on campus. There are more than 500 registered student organisations, and 22 NCAA Division I varsity teams compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
International students make up part of the student body (3,628 non-resident international students in fall 2025), and the university offers English-language pathway and academic English programmes and merit scholarships for international freshmen and transfers. George Mason is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, with accreditation reaffirmed through 2032.
First-time freshmen who apply by November 1 are automatically considered for merit scholarships without a separate application; awards are made without regard to financial need, notified by February, and require full-time enrolment. Transfer applicants are also automatically considered. The University Scholars Award, the university's highest undergraduate academic distinction, covers the full cost of tuition over four years and is awarded to Honors College applicants who apply by November 1. Most awards renew with a 2.75 cumulative GPA; University and Early Identification Scholars need 3.0.
Need-based aid is available to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens through FAFSA (priority March 1 for freshmen, March 15 for transfers): Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Virginia Commonwealth Award, Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, work-study and loans. The Mason Virginia Promise Grant is a last-dollar grant for eligible Virginia residents in community college partnerships and the Early Identification Program with family income of $75,000 or less. About 65% of students receive financial aid.
Non-U.S. citizens and non-residents are not eligible for federal or state aid. The university offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to highly qualified international freshmen and transfer students on F-1 visas, renewable for up to four years for freshmen and two years for transfers. All admitted applicants are automatically considered; there is no separate application, and awards are announced in the admission letter. Graduate students should ask their department about fellowships, assistantships and graduate grants.
See International Financial Aid, Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Mason Merit Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen →
Merit Scholarships for International Freshmen and Transfer Students →
Mason Virginia Promise Grant →
Browse the scholarships listed for George Mason University and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for George Mason University →Admission is holistic: the committee reviews the high school transcript (cumulative GPA for grades 9-12 and the rigour of courses, especially core academic subjects), SAT or ACT scores where submitted, counsellor and teacher recommendations (two suggested), extracurricular and community activities, and an optional personal statement of about 250 words. The university accepts almost 90 percent of applicants. Applicants apply through the Common Application or the George Mason application; the freshman application fee is $75 (fee waivers available).
Testing policy: test-optional. SAT and ACT scores may be submitted, or students may apply Score Optional; George Mason has been score optional since 2007. For Score Optional consideration the middle 50% of accepted students have cumulative GPAs of 3.3 to 3.9 on a weighted 4.0 scale (grades 9-11), with a strong college-preparatory, honors, AP, IB or dual-enrolment course load. Computer science and engineering applicants applying Score Optional need four years of high school mathematics, including one course above Algebra II by senior year.
Applicants need official transcripts from all previous colleges, a high school or GED transcript if applicable, official AP, CLEP and IB transcripts, the transfer application and fee. Competitive applicants have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and 24 earned semester credit hours (fewer requires a high school transcript), English composition equivalent to ENGH 101 and college-level mathematics. Deadlines are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring; later applications are considered on a space-available basis.
International freshmen submit certified official secondary school transcripts in the original language with English translation, plus results of any leaving certificates or university entrance exams, and apply under the same test-optional policy. Non-native English speakers must show English proficiency. Minimum undergraduate / graduate scores: TOEFL iBT (tests from January 21, 2026) 4.5 with 4.0 each section, or 80 with 18 each section for earlier tests; IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 each subsection (graduate 7.0 and 6.5); Duolingo English Test 110 (graduate 120); Pearson Test of Academic English 59 (graduate 67); SAT Reading and Writing 500 or ACT English and Reading 20 (undergraduate only). College of Engineering and Computing applicants need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 4.5 with no subsection minimum. TOEFL code is 5827. Applicants below the direct-entry score may be referred to a Gateway or Academic English programme. A visa (I-20 for F-1 students) and health insurance are required for some international students.
Graduate programmes (about 130 degrees and 100+ certificates) set their own application deadlines and requirements, including test requirements, and each programme has its own application. The graduate application fee is $75, non-refundable. Applicants must meet the standards in the Graduate Admission Policies of the University Catalog.
Study programmes offered at George Mason University.
Experiences shared by students of George Mason University.
Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.
Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.
Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.
Enter your credentials to continue.
Join us and start your study abroad journey.
