Lori Meadows
George Mason University is Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university, with a student body of nearly 40,000 students. The university has a beautiful 677-acre campus in Fairfax, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. This prime location provides students with access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities, as well as a vibrant and active city life. The university offers over 200 degrees and numerous minors and certificate programs, allowing students to customize their education to meet their career and personal goals. George Mason University is known for its academic rigor and research-intensive environment, with students having access to unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities that prepare them for successful careers. The university has a strong alumni network of over 235,000 individuals, with notable graduates working at prominent companies and organizations. While the university has a significant number of commuter students, it also offers on-campus housing, and students can participate in Greek life, community service, and a variety of clubs and organizations to build a well-rounded college experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student body size | Nearly 40,000 students |
| Student body diversity | Students from all 50 states and 130 countries |
| Gender distribution | 51% male, 49% female |
| Housing | 22% live in college-affiliated housing, 78% live off-campus |
| Campus location | Fairfax, Virginia, with campuses in Arlington, Prince William County, Front Royal, Virginia, and Songdo, South Korea |
| Proximity to Washington, D.C. | Provides internship and job opportunities |
| Academic offerings | Over 200 degrees, minors, and certificate programs; 80 undergraduate programs |
| Popular fields of study | Computer science, criminal justice, psychology |
| Graduation rate | High graduation rate |
| Alumni network | 235,000+ alumni |
| Career advancement | 90% of alumni report career advancement within six months of graduation |
| Greek life | Average, not a requirement |
| Varsity sports attendance | Not a huge part of campus life |
| School spirit | Moderate, not over-the-top |
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What You'll Learn
- George Mason University offers a wide range of graduate programs, including economics, public policy, law, and computer science
- The university provides unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities to help students secure careers
- The campus has modern facilities and a supportive community, with 90% of students finding professors approachable and understanding
- The student body is diverse, with a large graduate enrollment of over 11,000 students, and a mix of political views
- The university is located in Fairfax, Virginia, providing access to internships and job opportunities in nearby Washington, D.C
George Mason University offers a wide range of graduate programs, including economics, public policy, law, and computer science
George Mason University offers a diverse range of graduate programs, including economics, public policy, law, and computer science. With over 130 degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional levels, as well as more than 100 graduate-level certificates, the university provides a wealth of academic opportunities.
The College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason is noteworthy for its strong showing in various rankings. The college ranks among the top 3 colleges in Virginia for all six engineering categories, with civil engineering and computer engineering also earning notable placements. The university's systems engineering program ranks highly as well, placing 37th overall and 27th among public institutions nationwide.
The Antonin Scalia Law School is another standout, ranked 2nd among Virginia law schools and 31st in the nation. The School of Nursing, as part of Virginia's first College of Public Health, sets a high standard for nursing education in the state. Its master's in nursing and doctor of nursing practice programs ranked first in Virginia, with the latter also achieving a top 6% placement nationally.
George Mason's graduate programs in economics and computer science are also highly regarded, with the university ranking 35th among public universities nationwide for computer science and 48th for part-time MBA and economics. The university's proximity to Washington, D.C., enhances the graduate experience, providing access to internships and career opportunities.
The university's graduate students benefit from a vibrant, research-intensive environment. As an R-1 university, George Mason offers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects under renowned faculty members. Students can take advantage of advanced equipment and resources, as well as partnerships with federal agencies, organisations, and companies in the Washington, D.C., area.
With its diverse community, encouraging intellectual risks and the free exchange of ideas, George Mason University provides a unique graduate experience that fosters academic excellence and career advancement.
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The university provides unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities to help students secure careers
George Mason University (GMU) offers unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities to help students secure careers. The university's proximity to Washington, D.C., provides students with strong connections to federal agencies, government contractors, and non-profit organisations in the area.
GMU's Career Services helps students land their first job or internship. The university's job search platform, Handshake, allows students to find internships, part-time jobs, work-study positions, and full-time jobs related to their major, interests, and skills. Local employers also come to the Fairfax campus to interview students for various opportunities.
GMU students have held internships at organisations such as Microsoft, the National Nuclear Security Administration, Marriott International, and the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center. The university also offers graduate assistantships and lectureships that provide a supervised opportunity for students to gain experience in their field of study through teaching, research, or professional career preparation.
In addition to internships, GMU offers research opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their field of interest. The university is Virginia's largest public research university, with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. GMU has a strong focus on innovation and discovery, doubling its research expenditures over the last five years, totalling $262 million in 2024.
The university's research initiatives cover a wide range of areas, including artificial intelligence, cyber security, personalised rehabilitation for athletes, and solutions to societal challenges such as flood protection and police trust. GMU also offers programs like the Aspiring Scientists Program (ASSIP), which allows undergraduates to work alongside faculty researchers on real-world science projects, and the Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium (URC), where students can showcase their research projects.
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The campus has modern facilities and a supportive community, with 90% of students finding professors approachable and understanding
George Mason University is Virginia's largest, most diverse, and highest-ranked university for innovation. The university's main campus is located in Fairfax, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. The campus spans 677 acres and is home to a diverse student body of nearly 40,000 students, representing all 50 states and 130 countries. The campus facilities are modern and well-maintained, with a mix of new and old buildings. The Johnson Center serves as the heart of the school, where students can often be found studying, socialising, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee.
The university offers a wide range of academic programmes, including over 200 degrees, minors, and certificate programmes. Popular fields of study include computer science, criminal justice, and psychology. The university also offers numerous study abroad opportunities, with programmes in Europe, Australia, and at its additional campus in Songdo, Korea.
In addition to its academic offerings, George Mason University provides a supportive and engaging community for its students. With a large number of students commuting to campus, the school spirit is present but not overwhelming. The university encourages students to take intellectual risks and freely share ideas, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. Students have the opportunity to participate in Greek life, community service, and over 350 clubs and organisations.
The university's professors are approachable and understanding, with 90% of students finding them accessible. They are known for their support and guidance, helping students advance in their careers. The university's proximity to Washington, D.C. also provides a wide range of internship and job opportunities, with many alumni securing positions at prominent companies and organisations.
Overall, George Mason University offers a unique college experience, combining modern facilities, a diverse and supportive community, and a wealth of academic and career opportunities.
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The student body is diverse, with a large graduate enrollment of over 11,000 students, and a mix of political views
George Mason University has a student body of nearly 40,000 students, with a large graduate enrollment of over 11,000 students. The university is Virginia's largest and most diverse university, with students from all 50 states and 130 countries, representing a diverse range of origins, identities, circumstances, and ideologies. The student population is predominantly in-state, with a gender distribution of 51% male students and 49% female students. The university's diverse community encourages students to take intellectual risks and freely share ideas.
The university's main campus is located in Fairfax, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. This prime location provides students with access to internship and job opportunities in the city. The university also has campuses and sites in Arlington, Prince William County, and Front Royal, Virginia, as well as in Songdo, South Korea.
Outside of academics, students at George Mason University participate in Greek life, community service, and over 350 clubs and organizations. The university's athletic teams, known as the George Mason Patriots, compete at the NCAA Division I level and are members of the Atlantic 10 conference. While the university is known as a commuter school, with 78% of students living off-campus, there is still a sense of school spirit and pride, especially during basketball games when students show their support by wearing the school colours of green and gold.
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 200 degrees and numerous minors and certificate programs. Popular fields of study include computer science, criminal justice, and psychology. The university also provides study abroad opportunities in Europe, Australia, and its additional campus in Songdo, Korea.
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The university is located in Fairfax, Virginia, providing access to internships and job opportunities in nearby Washington, D.C
George Mason University is Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university. Its 677-acre campus is located in Fairfax, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. The university's proximity to the nation's capital provides students with access to internships and job opportunities in the city.
George Mason University offers its students unparalleled experiential, internship, and research opportunities. The university's career services office, for example, connects students with internships in Washington, D.C., through its job search platform, Handshake. Students can also leverage their personal connections and relationships with faculty, who have close ties to federal agencies, government contractors, and nonprofit organisations in the area.
The university's location in Fairfax, Virginia, provides students with convenient access to internships and job opportunities in nearby Washington, D.C. The campus offers a shuttle service to the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station, connecting students to workplaces in the city. In addition, George Mason University provides short-term housing for students interning in the area, offering a cost-effective alternative to D.C. prices.
Being located near Washington, D.C., allows George Mason University students to pursue internships with government agencies, contractors, and other organisations in the city. For example, computer science major Nasrin Ali completed two internships with Microsoft and started a third, while bioengineering student Andy Gomez pursued his career goals with internships on Capitol Hill. Other students have gained valuable experience through internships with the Smithsonian Institution, the CIA, NASA, and the White House.
The university's proximity to Washington, D.C., also enables students to participate in academic internship programs hosted by organisations such as The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). These programs offer academic credit, internships, housing, and networking opportunities in the heart of the city. As a result, George Mason University students can gain valuable professional experience and expand their network of contacts, setting themselves up for success in their future careers.
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Frequently asked questions
George Mason University is Virginia's largest and most diverse university. It offers a wide range of graduate programs, particularly in economics, public policy, law, and computer science. The university is also known for its research opportunities, with students often collaborating with faculty members on significant research projects. The campus is nice, and the student body is large, with an enrollment of 11,124 graduate students. The political views of the student population are mostly liberal.
Most professors at George Mason University are approachable and understanding.
The academic programs at George Mason University are strong and rigorous. Classes are mostly discussion/lecture-based, with an emphasis on reading journal articles and writing papers. There are also research and teaching assistant positions available, as well as opportunities for internships and other experiential learning.
Yes, there are numerous social activities organized by the Psych department and the university in general to keep students engaged. There are also graduate student organizations and communities, such as Mason's Graduate And Professional Student Association (GAPSA), that provide opportunities for graduate students to connect and engage with each other.
George Mason University has a strong alumni network of over 235,000 individuals. The university has high graduation rates and a good track record of helping students secure careers at national and international companies and organizations. Notable employers of George Mason alumni include Amazon, Deloitte, Northrup Grumman, the Smithsonian Institution, the CIA, NASA, and the White House.
