College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

Can You Afford George Mason University?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at GMU’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

Attendance Costs in 2020 - 2021 Varied Between $19,409 & $53,438

Worried about paying the full cost of $53,438 to attend George Mason University? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.

For students living in Virginia, the university offers a discount of 64.3% off tuition and fees. Also, 62.3% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $9,518. Students from low-income families receive an average of $10,569 in aid during their first year.

Cost for Residents of Virginia (no aid)

Tuition and fees$13,014
+ Room and board$12,090
+ Other expenses$4,874
Total cost$29,978
Affordability Score (40 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Residents of Virginia (with average aid)

Total cost$29,978
- Grants and scholarships$9,518
Net price$20,460
Affordability Score (42 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of Virginia

Total cost$29,978
- Grants and scholarships$10,569
Net price$19,409
Affordability Score (34 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)

Tuition and fees$36,474
+ Room and board$12,090
+ Other expenses$4,874
Total cost$53,438
Affordability Score (14 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)

Total cost$53,438
- Grants and scholarships$9,518
Net price$43,920
Affordability Score (3 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates

Total cost$53,438
- Grants and scholarships$10,569
Net price$42,869
Affordability Score (1 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at GMU.

Projected Costs Between $89,077 and $314,809 For a Four Year Degree. Between $43,209 and $154,519 For a Two Year Degree.

It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend George Mason University in 2020 - 2021 was $29,978. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 2.7% each year.

If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $31,594 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $34,183, for a bachelor degree candidate ($32,434 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $131,509 over the course of four years ($64,028 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $227,963 based on a yearly growth rate of 1.8%. The expected two-year cost is $111,893.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at George Mason University

Cost With Interest for Residents of Virginia

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*2.4%2.7%
Freshman year$21,142$21,471$31,594
Senior year$22,066$21,995$32,434
Total 2-year net price$43,209$43,465$64,028
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$16,461$16,559$24,392
Total monthly payment$497$500$737
Total amount paid$59,670$60,024$88,421
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*2.4%2.7%
Freshman year$21,142$21,471$31,594
Senior year$24,037$23,081$34,183
Total 4-year net price$90,276$89,077$131,509
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$34,392$33,935$50,100
Total monthly payment$1,039$1,025$1,513
Total amount paid$124,668$123,012$181,608

Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.9%1.8%
Freshman year$44,540$45,587$55,433
Senior year$45,399$46,444$56,459
Total 2-year net price$89,939$92,031$111,893
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$34,263$35,060$42,627
Total monthly payment$1,035$1,059$1,288
Total amount paid$124,202$127,091$154,519
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.9%1.8%
Freshman year$44,540$45,587$55,433
Senior year$47,169$48,207$58,567
Total 4-year net price$183,383$187,555$227,963
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$69,862$71,451$86,846
Total monthly payment$2,110$2,158$2,623
Total amount paid$253,245$259,006$314,809

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending George Mason University.

Further Questions to Consider

Continue Your Research on GMU

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options