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George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 27,083 Undergrads 75.3% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$26,972
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$18,287
After Aid
Median Earnings
$76,343
10yr Post-Entry
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$18,287
Peer Midpoint: $19,729.5
Earnings (10yr)$76,343
Peer Midpoint: $53,747
Graduation Rate75.3%
Peer Midpoint: 58.5%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients30.2%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time81.2%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS81.4%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
88.8%
SAT Avg
1,247
SAT Reading
25th: 58062575th: 670
SAT Math
25th: 56062075th: 670
ACT Composite
25th: 252875th: 30
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$640k
+$243k
+$155k
Median Cost$18k/yr
+$574k
+$177k
+$89k
Full Cost$27k/yr
+$543k
+$146k
+$58k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
29
∞
Median Cost$18k/yr
37
136%
Full Cost$27k/yr
43
60%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 10-year median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return209%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return8%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (5yr)
$92,732
Lifetime Value Added
+$223k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
BachCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$28,000
Earnings (5yr)
$53,588
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
$22,875
Earnings (5yr)
$45,617
Lifetime Value Added
-$141k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$31,133
Lifetime Value Added
-$248k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$19,125
Earnings (5yr)
$68,233
Lifetime Value Added
+$40k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
BachCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$23,594
Earnings (2yr)
$69,338
Lifetime Value Added
+$80k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$19,440
Earnings (5yr)
$74,937
Lifetime Value Added
+$90k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
$20,504
Earnings (5yr)
$60,676
Lifetime Value Added
-$19k
Civil Engineering
BachCIP: 1408
Median Debt
$20,787
Earnings (5yr)
$95,921
Lifetime Value Added
+$247k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$21,000
Earnings (5yr)
$111,615
Lifetime Value Added
+$364k
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (5yr)
$108,739
Lifetime Value Added
+$343k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$116,307
Lifetime Value Added
+$399k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$17,750
Earnings (5yr)
$70,311
Lifetime Value Added
+$55k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (2yr)
$21,964
Lifetime Value Added
-$332k
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$19,000
Earnings (5yr)
$81,731
Lifetime Value Added
+$141k
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
BachCIP: 1410
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$103,679
Lifetime Value Added
+$305k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (5yr)
$51,160
Lifetime Value Added
-$95k
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
BachCIP: 5006
Median Debt
$23,205
Earnings (5yr)
$49,691
Lifetime Value Added
-$107k
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (5yr)
$97,027
Lifetime Value Added
+$256k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$24,615
Lifetime Value Added
-$307k
Geography and Cartography
BachCIP: 4507
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$69,330
Lifetime Value Added
+$48k
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
BachCIP: 4006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$39,009
Lifetime Value Added
-$177k
Graphic Communications
BachCIP: 1003
Median Debt
$22,985
Earnings (5yr)
$61,613
Lifetime Value Added
-$11k
Health and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$21,651
Earnings (5yr)
$61,833
Lifetime Value Added
-$10k
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 5199
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$72,797
Lifetime Value Added
+$74k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (5yr)
$58,724
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Hospitality Administration/Management
BachCIP: 5209
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$57,639
Lifetime Value Added
-$43k
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$20,117
Earnings (5yr)
$63,843
Lifetime Value Added
+$6k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
BachCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (5yr)
$59,124
Lifetime Value Added
-$31k
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
BachCIP: 1601
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (5yr)
$51,693
Lifetime Value Added
-$91k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
BachCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$17,250
Earnings (5yr)
$98,097
Lifetime Value Added
+$264k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$18,375
Earnings (5yr)
$76,137
Lifetime Value Added
+$99k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$24,750
Earnings (5yr)
$85,621
Lifetime Value Added
+$170k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$21,917
Earnings (5yr)
$46,718
Lifetime Value Added
-$132k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
$22,483
Earnings (5yr)
$54,409
Lifetime Value Added
-$69k
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
BachCIP: 2615
Median Debt
$19,727
Earnings (5yr)
$88,888
Lifetime Value Added
+$195k
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
BachCIP: 3005
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$63,777
Lifetime Value Added
+$6k
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$38,289
Lifetime Value Added
-$183k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$20,449
Earnings (5yr)
$74,736
Lifetime Value Added
+$89k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$17,625
Earnings (5yr)
$56,653
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Public Administration
BachCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (5yr)
$72,841
Lifetime Value Added
+$74k
Public Health
BachCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$65,152
Lifetime Value Added
+$16k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (5yr)
$89,074
Lifetime Value Added
+$196k
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
BachCIP: 2313
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (5yr)
$65,410
Lifetime Value Added
+$18k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$19,250
Earnings (5yr)
$60,768
Lifetime Value Added
-$18k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$16,676
Earnings (5yr)
$58,321
Lifetime Value Added
-$37k
Sustainability Studies
BachCIP: 3033
Median Debt
$24,670
Earnings (5yr)
$62,841
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Systems Engineering
BachCIP: 1427
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$120,847
Lifetime Value Added
+$433k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$21,696
Earnings (5yr)
$60,030
Lifetime Value Added
-$24k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BachCIP: 5001
Median Debt
$21,125
Earnings (5yr)
$52,669
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$106,905
Lifetime Value Added
+$465k
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
MastCIP: 5010
Median Debt
$42,750
Earnings (5yr)
$58,219
Lifetime Value Added
+$43k
Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,560
Lifetime Value Added
+$144k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$38,186
Earnings (5yr)
$143,997
Lifetime Value Added
+$780k
Civil Engineering
MastCIP: 1408
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (2yr)
$64,493
Lifetime Value Added
+$134k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$50,856
Lifetime Value Added
+$4k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$26,262
Earnings (5yr)
$151,577
Lifetime Value Added
+$845k
Computer Engineering
MastCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$155,166
Lifetime Value Added
+$875k
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
MastCIP: 1109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$149,364
Lifetime Value Added
+$826k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
MastCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$122,038
Lifetime Value Added
+$658k
Curriculum and Instruction
MastCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$24,500
Earnings (5yr)
$67,293
Lifetime Value Added
+$124k
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
MastCIP: 5131
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,366
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Dispute Resolution
MastCIP: 3028
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$105,031
Lifetime Value Added
+$449k
Economics
MastCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$104,824
Lifetime Value Added
+$447k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$89,663
Lifetime Value Added
+$317k
English Language and Literature, General
MastCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$36,561
Earnings (5yr)
$71,141
Lifetime Value Added
+$158k
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,135
Lifetime Value Added
+$70k
Geography and Cartography
MastCIP: 4507
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$102,621
Lifetime Value Added
+$428k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$99,780
Lifetime Value Added
+$404k
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$67,461
Lifetime Value Added
+$126k
Homeland Security
MastCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$163,625
Lifetime Value Added
+$947k
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$122,821
Lifetime Value Added
+$601k
Information Science/Studies
MastCIP: 1104
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$149,317
Lifetime Value Added
+$826k
International Relations and National Security Studies
MastCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$34,250
Earnings (5yr)
$107,973
Lifetime Value Added
+$474k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
MastCIP: 5127
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$119,637
Lifetime Value Added
+$574k
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
MastCIP: 2605
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$55,338
Lifetime Value Added
+$48k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
MastCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$77,809
Lifetime Value Added
+$215k
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$42,842
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
MastCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$76,524
Lifetime Value Added
+$204k
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
MastCIP: 3005
Median Debt
$43,917
Earnings (5yr)
$95,967
Lifetime Value Added
+$371k
Political Science and Government
MastCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$71,787
Lifetime Value Added
+$163k
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$46,514
Earnings (5yr)
$92,976
Lifetime Value Added
+$345k
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
MastCIP: 4499
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$103,162
Lifetime Value Added
+$433k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$100,653
Lifetime Value Added
+$411k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$85,727
Lifetime Value Added
+$283k
Public Policy Analysis
MastCIP: 4405
Median Debt
$37,996
Earnings (5yr)
$112,560
Lifetime Value Added
+$513k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$114,761
Lifetime Value Added
+$532k
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
MastCIP: 2313
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$68,559
Lifetime Value Added
+$135k
Security Science and Technology
MastCIP: 4304
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$95,510
Lifetime Value Added
+$367k
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$68,977
Lifetime Value Added
+$139k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$23,695
Earnings (5yr)
$71,801
Lifetime Value Added
+$163k
Statistics
MastCIP: 2705
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$109,763
Lifetime Value Added
+$547k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$38,978
Earnings (5yr)
$63,948
Lifetime Value Added
+$95k
Systems Engineering
MastCIP: 1427
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$154,712
Lifetime Value Added
+$871k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$42,188
Lifetime Value Added
-$84k
Graduate Certificates
Biology, General
Gr-CertCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$60,039
Lifetime Value Added
+$127k
Curriculum and Instruction
Gr-CertCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$22,414
Earnings (5yr)
$67,486
Lifetime Value Added
+$199k
Special Education and Teaching
Gr-CertCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$27,557
Earnings (5yr)
$69,859
Lifetime Value Added
+$222k
Doctoral Degrees
Economics
DocCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$69,338
Lifetime Value Added
+$38k
Education, General
DocCIP: 1301
Median Debt
$60,555
Earnings (5yr)
$95,728
Lifetime Value Added
+$199k
Psychology, General
DocCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$114,026
Lifetime Value Added
+$332k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
DocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$57,000
Earnings (5yr)
$122,573
Lifetime Value Added
+$394k
Professional Degrees
Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$65,077
Earnings (5yr)
$127,882
Lifetime Value Added
+$433k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate, accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results should not be compared with those Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors starting at age 18.