George Mason University campus

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Mason Demographics & Diversity

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Fairfax, VA
  • 3.7 3 reviews
#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 72%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Mason are predominantly White with a smaller Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 57% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of George Mason University students
Race Percent of Students
White
43%
Black
11%
Hispanic
13%
Asian
19%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
5%
Race Unknown
5%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 5% more female students than male students enrolled at George Mason University with a gender ratio of 51% women to 49% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Mason has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for George Mason University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
49%
Women
51%
Enrollment by gender for George Mason University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
19,381
Women
20,385

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 19%

Mason draws 77 percent of students from Virginia, 14 percent from other states, and 4 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Virginia, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for George Mason University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
77%
Out of State
14%
Foreign
4%
Unknown Location
4%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$95,275 per year

29% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

39,766
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 21.8%
Part-time undergraduates 18.3%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to George Mason University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232186.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026