George Mason University

What is the cost of studying for a year at George Mason University?

For 2025-26, reported full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees totaled $14,220 for Virginia residents and $39,312 for nonresidents. Those figures combine tuition with $3,828 in required fees; they do not include living expenses.

The same reporting period lists typical annual room and board charges of $16,156 and books and supplies of $1,290. Adding only those listed items produces $31,666 for a resident living at the reported room-and-board rate, or $56,134 for a nonresident. Neither subtotal is a complete cost-of-attendance budget: transportation, personal spending, and any program-specific expenses may increase it. A commuter's housing and food spending may differ substantially from the campus room-and-board figure.

Published charges are also different from net price, which reflects certain grant aid. In the reported net-price data, average annual net price for students in families earning up to $48,000 was $12,093; for those in families earning above $110,000, it was $25,894. These are group averages, not individual aid offers. Eligible students may use federal and state grants, institutional scholarships, loans, and military education benefits; completing the FAFSA is an important step for consideration for federal aid and many other forms of assistance. Residency classification, enrollment level, housing choice, and an actual aid offer determine a student's more useful personal estimate.

What are the work-study opportunities at George Mason University?

George Mason students can look for part-time student jobs, while eligible students may also seek positions funded through Federal Work-Study. Work-Study is a need-based financial-aid program tied to available jobs and funding; receiving an award does not itself place a student in a job or pay the award amount upfront.

Students normally establish financial-aid eligibility through the FAFSA and then apply for openings. Other campus jobs may be available without a Work-Study award. For career-related experience, University Career Services offers resources for exploring majors and occupations, preparing résumés, searching for internships and jobs, and meeting employers through events and recruiting activities. An internship is not a university-wide graduation requirement, although an individual program may require one.

Wages from a student job, financial aid, and a future employment outcome are different things. Applicants balancing classes and work should compare a position's hours and location with their course schedule, particularly if their classes meet on more than one campus.