Students at George Mason University achieve substantially higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning over $16,000 more than expected nationwide.
This exceptional earnings advantage places the university among the top performers nationally for both overall graduate outcomes and economic mobility for low-income students.
Azimuth ranks George Mason University 47th out of 506 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 9% for overall value. What distinguishes George Mason is its exceptional ability to deliver earnings outcomes that far exceed what students would typically achieve at comparable universities. Located in the heart of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the university combines the accessibility of a large public institution with financial returns typically seen at much more selective schools.
Nearly 30% of students receive Pell Grants and about 30% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve strong long-term earnings. Ten years after enrollment, the median graduate earns $76,343, with the university delivering an impressive earnings advantage of over $16,000 compared with what similar students earn elsewhere. This performance reflects both George Mason's strategic location near major employers and its strength in high-demand fields like technology, engineering, and business.
As a large public research university in Virginia, George Mason offers comprehensive academic programs while maintaining strong connections to the federal government, defense contractors, and the broader D.C. economy. For many families, this combination of accessibility, reasonable costs, and exceptional long-term financial outcomes makes George Mason a standout choice among public universities nationwide.
George Mason University's program portfolio reflects its strategic position in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, with particular strength in technology, engineering, and public service fields. Artificial Intelligence emerges as the university's standout program, combining substantial enrollment of 638 graduates with strong median earnings of $68,104, creating the highest aggregate economic impact. This program exemplifies George Mason's ability to anticipate market demands and prepare students for high-growth sectors.
Engineering programs deliver some of the university's strongest individual earnings outcomes. Systems Engineering graduates earn $74,576 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the high demand for technical expertise in the D.C. area's defense and technology sectors. The substantial Corrections Administration program, with 384 graduates earning $43,143, demonstrates George Mason's connection to government and public service careers, providing stable pathways for students interested in criminal justice and public administration.
The university's location provides unique advantages for program development and graduate placement. Proximity to federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology companies creates abundant internship and employment opportunities that directly benefit students across multiple disciplines. This geographic advantage, combined with George Mason's academic strengths, helps explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations and why the university ranks among the top institutions nationally for long-term financial outcomes.
George Mason University graduates achieve exceptionally strong long-term financial outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $76,343, placing the university in the top 10% nationally for graduate earnings. What makes these results particularly impressive is that George Mason graduates earn approximately $16,200 more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings advantages among public universities. This substantial earnings boost demonstrates the university's ability to consistently deliver financial outcomes that exceed expectations.
The university's program portfolio drives much of this success. Artificial Intelligence stands out as George Mason's highest aggregate-return program, combining strong enrollment of 638 graduates with solid median earnings of $68,104. Systems Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $74,576, while the large Corrections Administration program, with 384 graduates earning $43,143, reflects the university's connection to government and public service careers. These programs benefit from George Mason's proximity to Washington D.C., where technology, defense, and federal employment create abundant opportunities for graduates.
The university's location in the D.C. metropolitan area provides graduates with access to one of the nation's strongest job markets, particularly in technology, consulting, and government contracting. This geographic advantage, combined with George Mason's academic strengths, helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations and achieve such strong long-term financial success.
George Mason University maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay approximately $12,197 annually in net price, which sits comfortably below national averages for public universities. Middle-income families face net costs around $16,296 per year, while higher-income students pay about $25,247 annually. This pricing structure provides predictable costs that help families plan effectively over the course of a four-year degree.
The university's debt profile reflects this balanced approach to affordability. Typical graduates leave with about $19,500 in federal student loan debt, a manageable level given the strong earnings outcomes George Mason delivers. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,051 among families who choose this option, representing a moderate level of family contribution. The combination of reasonable net prices and controlled debt levels creates a sustainable financial foundation for most students.
What makes George Mason particularly attractive from an affordability standpoint is how well graduates can manage their educational investments. With median earnings of $76,343 ten years after enrollment, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building their careers. The university's strong earnings outcomes, combined with reasonable upfront costs, create a financial equation that works well for families seeking both accessibility and long-term value.
George Mason University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
