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#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Mason Admission Requirements

Fairfax, Virginia

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into George Mason University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

90%
Admission Difficulty for George Mason University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Mason is 90%.  Its admission rate is the 35th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Mason and can you get accepted?

George Mason University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 18,001 out of the 20,001 who applied were admitted.

George Mason University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Mason?

90% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to George Mason University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.68 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1250 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Mason GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.68

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into George Mason University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Mason are to have around a 3.68 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.68 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Mason accepts 90% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Mason is 3.68 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Mason is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted George Mason University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 29.2% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.8% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.1% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.6% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.6% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.6% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Mason SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to George Mason University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 38% of students submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1350

Applicants Submitting SAT 

38%
SAT Scores for George Mason University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 560
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for George Mason University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1350
Average SAT Score 1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to George Mason University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Mason is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1350. Students who get into George Mason University score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  Mason ranks #10 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Mason regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1030, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

George Mason University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1250 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1245, you have around a 90% chance of being admitted. A 1350 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

George Mason University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1350 and Above Good >94%
1245 to 1350 Avg + 90%-94%
1140 to 1245 Avg - 83%-90%
1035 to 1140 Reach 71%-83%
Less than 1035 Low <71%
Calculate My Chances 

Mason ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

3%
ACT Scores for George Mason University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for George Mason University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Mason?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Mason is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 31.  The school ranks #8 in Virginia and #239 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

3 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to George Mason University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as George Mason University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Mason for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 90% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 31 ACT score.

George Mason University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >94%
28 to 31 Avg + 90%-94%
25 to 28 Avg - 83%-90%
22 to 25 Reach 71%-83%
Less than 22 Low <71%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of George Mason University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted George Mason University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 14%
Top 25% of class 40%
Top 50% of class 76%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

George Mason University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,753 9,248 20,001
Accepted 9,854 8,147 18,001
Acceptance Rate 92% 88% 90%
Enrolled 1,997 2,147 4,144
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 20% 26% 23%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

72

Applicants have 72 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to George Mason University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to George Mason University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

George Mason University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at George Mason University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because George Mason University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.68 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1250 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to George Mason University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232186 IPEDS survey data for George Mason University.

Last updated February 24, 2024