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.

The Vision

Your world, transformed.

High Quality

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.

•  73% graduation rate
   
• An R1 research university for high-impact research and student opportunities
   
• A top 50 public university, according to the Wall Street Journal and Forbes
   
• No. 1 in Virginia for Best Bang for the Buck, according to Washington Monthly
   
• No. 1 among Virginia and Washington, D.C., metropolitan area public universities for upward mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report  
   
• No. 1 public university in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for salary outcomes, with 85% of 2024 graduates reporting a positive career outcome within six months of graduation
   
• Top 5 university in Virginia for student experience, according to Wall Street Journal

Flexible

George Mason offers 78 undergraduate degrees and 141 degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with a variety of minors and certificates to support individualized academic and professional goals. The university leads the nation in community college transfers, supports veterans and military students, and integrates mixed-mode learning.

• Through its Direct Admissions Program with 24 Northern Virginia high schools, more than 500 students enrolled in fall 2025, while the Early Identification Program supports first-generation students and has produced over 2,400 graduates to date.
   
• ADVANCE, a dual-admission partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), now expanded to six community colleges statewide, has enrolled more than 6,500 students since 2018, streamlining transfers through defined pathways, personalized coaching, and access to resources..
   
• Launched two K-12 lab schools in partnership with Virginia schools – one focused on data science and STEM in the Shenandoah Valley, and the ACCESS Academy in Loudoun County, providing early college and career readiness programs.
   
• Mason Enterprise, the commonwealth's largest university-based economic development network, provides entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with training and resources - managing 27 Small Business Development Centers statewide and generating $2.8 billion in new investments while creating or retaining more than 6,000 jobs.

Inclusive

George Mason fosters an inclusive environment that celebrates everyone for who they are. 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. 

• 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
   
• The six-year graduation rate exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status
   
• Ranked 21st among public universities and 2nd in Virginia for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Responsive

From health care to technology, nonprofits to government, George Mason students, researchers, and alumni are driving change across industries. Regional employers turn to George Mason graduates for their strong preparation and real-world skills. To meet evolving workforce needs, the university has launched and retired more academic programs than any other public university in Virginia, with robust internships and practicum opportunities serving as direct pipelines to full-time jobs.

• Established Virginia’s first School of Computing and first College of Public Health 
   
• Opened the Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory, or “body farm,” only one of its kind on the East Coast
   
• Established the Biomedical Research Lab, one of 12 bio-safety level-3 labs in the nation
   
• Opened Life Sciences and Engineering Building, supporting STEM-H majors
   
• Opened Fuse at Mason Square, a $254 million, 345,000-sq-ft innovation hub connecting industry, researchers, faculty, and students with specialized labs, collaborative and commercial facilities to drive innovation and entrepreneurship
   
• Opened the Nanofabrication Facility, Northern Virginia’s only cleanroom facility, providing hands-on nanofabrication training and accelerating high-tech workforce and research development
   
• Exceeds the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program goals by 13%, advancing the $2 billion initiative to grow Virginia's computer science, engineering and software workforce

Problem Solvers

Every day, George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative mobilizes faculty, students, staff, and partners to turn research into real-world solutions, advancing education access, climate resilience, digital innovation, health preparedness, space exploration, and civic trust. By integrating these efforts into academic programs, the university prepares the next generation of leaders to tackle society’s toughest challenges. 

• Expanding counselor access in high-need schools through a $5 million U.S. Department of Education grant.
   
• Strengthening cybersecurity skills and community readiness via a $1 million Google-funded clinic with Howard University 
   
• Helping local communities implement climate-resilient strategies with a $6 million National Science Foundation grant
   
• Advancing maternal and child health research by studying environmental impacts with a $1.78 million National Institutes of Health grant
   
• Addressed limitations in telescope calibration by launching the $19.5 million Landolt NASA Space Mission, putting an artificial “star” in orbit to improve measurements advance research 
   
• Leading peace and conflict resolution as one of two U.S. institutions named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 Hub Chair through the Carter School 

Global Leaders

George Mason prepares students to success in an interconnected world through international study, research, service, and leadership opportunities offered by the Global Education Office and our global Mason Korea campus. These experiences integrated into academic curricula equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a globally-connected society. 

• Mason Korea brings students together from more than 25 countries through globally-focused programs, including the 3+1 study pathway in Virginia
   
• Offers study abroad, internships, and service opportunities in more than 60 countries, with both semester-long and short-term options
   
• Collaborates with over 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