About

The Mission

A public, comprehensive, research university established by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the National Capital Region, we are an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world.

Academic Excellence

As Virginia’s largest public research university, George Mason provides a college experience like no other, combining rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and strong career preparation.

• 75% graduation rate – exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status
   
• Produces 30-40% of graduates earning STEM degrees – more than any other four-year institution in Virginia
   
• An R1 research university for high-impact research and student opportunities
   
• Student success extends beyond the classroom – captured five A-10 Conference championships, including first-ever regular season titles in men's basketball, men's soccer, and women's basketball.
   
• 92% of 2025 graduates report a positive career outcome within six months of graduation with a median salary of $73K

Flexible Pathways

George Mason leads the nation in community college transfers, supports veterans and military students, and integrates mixed-mode learning, offering 78 undergraduate degrees and 141 degree programs at the graduate and professional level, along with a variety of minors and certificates.

• The Mason Virginia Promise is a last dollar grant that helps eligible students close remaining tuition gaps after other gift aid is applied.
   
• ACCESS Academy and Data Science, Computing, and Applications (DSCA) Lab School – two K-12 lab schools in partnership with Virginia schools – provide early college and career readiness programs.
   
• Mason Enterprise, the commonwealth's largest university-based economic development network, manages 27 Small Business Development Centers statewide, generating $2.8 billion in new investments, helping form nearly 500 new companies, and creating or retaining more than 6,000 jobs.
   
• Mason Career Academy provides students, faculty, and displaced workers with flexible access to more than 90 online microcredentials and industry certifications.

Inclusive

At George Mason, admission is open to all academically prepared students, enabling equitable access and opportunity, and reflecting the university’s standing as the most diverse public university in Virginia.

• 40K+ students enrolled from all 50 states and 130 countries
   
• 89% acceptance rate 
   
• One in four students is first-generation
   
• More than 10% of students are current or former military members or dependents, with roughly 20% of new students having military ties
   
• In fall 2025, over 3,000 incoming students joined as transfers
   
• Ranked 21st among public universities and 2nd in Virginia for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce

From health care to technology, nonprofits to government, George Mason drives workforce innovation through industry partnerships, experiential learning, and academic programs designed to meet evolving employer needs.

• Established more academic programs than any other public university in Virginia, including Virginia's first School of Computing and first College of Public Health
   
• Virginia's first master's degree programs in artificial intelligence and quantum science and engineering
   
• Virginia's first public PhD degree in robotics
   
• 20,000+ students supported annually via University Career Services — connecting them to 100,000+ jobs and internships through 650+ recruiting employers
   
• Anchor institution for the 3,800-acre Nexus234 Innovation District, in partnership with Prince William County and the City of Manassas, to accelerate research, innovation, and economic growth
   
• Virginia's first R1 university to commercialize a product through the Lab-to-Launch initiative
   
• Exceeded the commonwealth's Tech Talent Investment Program goals by 13%
   

Problem Solvers

George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative transforms research into real-world solutions while preparing students to tackle society's greatest challenges in education, climate resilience, digital innovation, health, space exploration, and civic trust.

• Advancing 21st-century education for all
   
• Building a climate-resilient society
   
• Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
   
• Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
   
• Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
   
• Strengthening peace, trust and engagement in democracy

Global Leaders

George Mason prepares students for an interconnected world, through global study, research, service, and leadership opportunities, including those offered at Mason Korea.

• Established Mason Korea’s Center for Korean Culture and Society, promoting global scholarship in K-culture, media, gaming, sports, and tourism.
   
• Producing policy-relevant research through the Taiwan Security Monitor, a student-driven initiative informing global discussions on security and international affairs.
   
• Set a university record with 15 students selected as Gilman Scholars to support study abroad experiences.
   
• Collaborating with 100+ global institutions to advance education, research, and innovation worldwide through more than 200 programs.
   
• Provided over $200 million in scholarships, grants, and funding to date to support global learning experiences.