At $18,287/yr net price, George Mason University graduates earn $76,343/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $42,343/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,287 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,148 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,343/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42,343/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,197/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,383/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,296/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,394/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,247/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security. | Master | $127,993 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $122,038 | |
| Statistics. | Master | $109,763 | |
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $109,763 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $106,421 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $105,585 | $38,186 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $101,072 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $100,690 | $57,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $99,709 | $26,262 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Master | $92,632 |
The Risk Factor
69.3% of students at George Mason University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
George Mason University gives you a solid financial return. You carry a median debt of $19,500 against median earnings that clear $76,000 ten years out, so you're paying back less than three months of a typical salary. The 87% retention rate and near-70% graduation rate mean most people who start actually finish, which is where debt without a degree usually wrecks a budget.
The engineering and computing programs are where Mason pays off. Computer Science graduates lead at $78,343, and Systems Engineering delivers roughly $74,000 on debt near the school median. Northern Virginia's tech and government-contracting job market sits right outside Fairfax, so these degrees land you in a region actively hiring for them. Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering both post the same $69,338 figure, but they come with heavier debt loads ($25,500 and $23,594), so the return per borrowed dollar is thinner than CS or Systems Engineering.
The specific risk here is program choice. The listed payoffs are all in engineering and computing. If you enroll planning to major in something outside those fields, Mason's overall numbers don't guarantee your outcome, and no bachelor-level earnings are shown for other majors to lean on.
On cost, the income tiers tell a clear story. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $12,200 a year. above $110,000, that climbs to $25,247. Lower-income families get a real discount, and the gap between the bottom and top tiers is roughly $13,000 annually.
Mason fits you if you're targeting a tech or engineering degree and want to work in the D.C. metro area afterward. If you're set on a field with no earnings data here, treat the school's strong averages with caution and check your specific program before borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is George Mason University worth the cost compared to other Virginia schools?
George Mason offers solid value with graduates earning $76,343 after 10 years while carrying relatively low debt of $19,500. The net price of $18,287 per year is reasonable for a Virginia public university, though the 69% graduation rate means about 3 in 10 students don't finish.
What are the highest paying majors at George Mason University?
Homeland Security leads at $128,000, followed by IT management at $122,000 and statistics at $110,000. These technical programs significantly outperform the university average and justify the investment.
Is George Mason University hard to get into and does selectivity affect job prospects?
With a 90% acceptance rate, George Mason accepts nearly all applicants. While this makes admission easy, employers focus more on your specific program and skills than the school's selectivity.
How much student debt do George Mason University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable given graduate earnings of $76,343. Most students can expect monthly payments under $200, making this debt load reasonable for the income potential.