Strong graduate outcomes with earnings well above peer institutions. Robust earnings growth over time.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
George Mason University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early career trajectory, with median income rising from $60,536 six years after enrollment to $68,053 at eight years and $76,343 at ten years. This represents 26.1% growth between the six-year and ten-year measurement points, indicating steady career advancement and income progression.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Strong relative performance — graduates earn notably more than peers at comparable institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $19,500 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
George Mason University graduates carry median debt of $19,500, slightly above the peer median of $20,000 but well within manageable ranges given strong earnings outcomes. Student debt ranges from $7,500 at the 25th percentile to $25,750 at the 75th percentile, indicating moderate borrowing variation across the student population.
George Mason University delivers excellent return on educational investment, ranking at the 94.7th percentile nationally for return performance in the top-tier category. Graduates earn $16,207 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing George Mason at the 92.0th percentile for earnings uplift.
Approximately 23.9% of George Mason graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix a...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
George Mason's strongest earning programs drive exceptional institutional return performance, with Artificial Intelligence leading at $94,945 median earnings from 638 graduates, representing both the highest-earning and largest program. Actuarial Science produces graduates earning $83,986 with exceptional value scores, while Banking and Financial Support Services reaches $83,906.
These high-earning technical and business programs contrast with more moderate earnings in Psychology ($48,517) and Biology ($53,237), though even lower-earning programs maintain competitive outcomes relative to national benchmarks. The program diversity enables students with varied interests to achieve solid return on investment, with technical fields providing exceptional earning potential while liberal arts programs offer competitive outcomes for students pursuing graduate education or careers emphasizing broader skills.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution at George Mason University spans from $47,905 at the 25th percentile to $109,864 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.3:1 ratio that indicates significant upside potential across different career paths. Low-income graduates earn $64,600, demonstrating strong mobility outcomes for students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds.
