George Mason University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at George Mason University was $9,796 a year for in-state students and $33,960 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at George Mason University is $33,960 per year.

Does George Mason University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

George Mason University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,796 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-Virginia residents, out-of-state tuition is $33,960 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a college where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Tuition for International Students at George Mason University

George Mason University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at George Mason University usually pay around $33,960 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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George Mason University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at George Mason University.

House and Food Costs at George Mason University

Room and board at George Mason University is $12,630 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at George Mason University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area might be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The George Mason University campus is located in a suburban setting in Virginia, not far from Washington and DC.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending George Mason University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to George Mason University.

Total Cost of George Mason University

What will the cost of attending George Mason University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,796
Out-of-State Tuition	$33,960
Room and Board	$12,630
Other expenses	$2,302

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at George Mason University

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In 2022, 11,757 of the 26,882 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. George Mason University meets 52.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,325 a year. Around 59% of George Mason University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. George Mason University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,678 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,151
Private Loans	$38,780

Most Common Loans for George Mason University Students
Federal Loans	57%
Private loans	15%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on George Mason University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at George Mason University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, George Mason University awarded 10,486 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $84.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $32.09 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

George Mason University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for George Mason University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at George Mason University was $15,325 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of George Mason University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,002.4
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-609.4
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$38,487

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending George Mason University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the George Mason University's net cost calculator on their website.

George Mason University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does George Mason University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About George Mason University

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