George Mason University Online | TheBestSchools

Updated September 2, 2022 · 2 Min Read

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Highlights

Largest public research university in Virginia.
80% of graduates find employment within six months of graduation.
Four campus locations in Virginia and one in South Korea.
A military-friendly school that boasts an office of military services.

Overview

George Mason University, a public research institution based in Fairfax County, Virginia, enrolls more than 34,000 students at 10 schools and colleges. Established in 1949 as part of the University of Virginia system, the university became independent in 1972. Today, George Mason serves around 25,000 undergraduates through more than 80 majors. Over 11,000 graduate students take part in George Mason's 200-plus professional, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs.

The university offers a variety of fully online and hybrid programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Online learners take courses asynchronously and synchronously.

George Mason University Recognized as an Online College Leader

TBS has recognized George Mason University as a leader of online education in the area of education & teaching for having several ranking online programs, offered by the Graduate School of Education.

Graduate School of Education

The Graduate School of Education, one half of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, offers a variety of graduate, doctoral, and professional programs. Busy, working educators and administrators seeking to advance their careers enjoy flexible, professionally-focused programs in topics including learning and human development, learning technologies, education, special education, and educational leadership. Students benefit from accelerated and online degree programs, access to centers, labs, and institutes, and professional experience opportunities. The College of Education and Human Development is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The Graduate School of Education offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:

George Mason University Tuition, Accreditation, and Admission Info

Tuition

In-state undergraduate: $377.50 per credit
Out-of-state undergraduate: $1,355 per credit
In-state graduate online: $630.75-$1,000 per credit
Out-of-state graduate online: $650-$1,000 per credit

Accreditation and Approvals

George Mason is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, while its school of business holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

George Mason's schools maintain numerous additional accreditations from organizations, including the Council on Education for Public Health, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Council on Social Work Education.

Admission

Prospective first-year students must submit official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and two letters of recommendation. George Mason strongly recommends that each applicant submits a 250-word personal statement detailing why they want to go to college. Some majors, such as the bachelor of science in nursing program, require a separate application process. George Mason University acceptance rate for undergraduate students is 81%.

Admission requirements vary by graduate program. At minimum, each candidate must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA. Some programs also require higher GPAs, recommendation letters, professional experience, personal statements, or standardized test scores.

Other Statistics

Percentage of undergraduates enrolled in some distance education: 29%
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Percentage of full-time beginning undergraduates receiving any financial aid: 75%
Date founded: 1949

School Profile

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Full-Time Freshman Retention Rate: 88%
Required Standardized Test(s): SAT or ACT for undergraduate programs; GRE or GMAT for some graduate programs
Public/Private: Public
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 71%
Athletics: NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference
Mascot: Patriots
Colors: Green and gold
Address: 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone Number: (703) 993-1000
Social Media: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram

George Mason University Online Degrees Offered

Nine online bachelor's programs
28 online master's programs
21 online graduate certificates programs

George Mason University Rankings on TBS

Online Bachelor's Degree Rankings

Online Master's Degree Rankings

On-Campus Degree Rankings

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