George Mason University stands out as Virginia’s No. 1 public university for upward mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2026, as Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” in the commonwealth, and as a top 50 public university nationally according to Forbes magazine.
George Mason is the only public doctoral university in the state—and one of just five very large public universities in the nation—designated by the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) in the highest tier of Opportunity Colleges and Universities for its combination of Higher Access, Higher Earnings and being a top research university. This distinction reflects George Mason’s preparation of more students to build grand solutions for a brighter future.
“These latest rankings and accolades help spotlight the opportunities, excellence, research capacity, value and successful student outcomes at George Mason,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “The university achieves all this at scale like few other universities in the country, and we transform more lives than any public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These rankings are impressive—our graduate success stories are even more so.”
High-Quality Education Within Reach
George Mason leads in upward mobility, ranking No. 1 among Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region public universities by U.S. News.
The university is also recognized for affordability, access, and value, ranking No. 1 in Virginia in Washington Monthly's Best Bang for Your Buck in the Southeast (16th overall), and No. 1 in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for access (16th overall). U.S. News places George Mason in the top 5 in Virginia for best value, and the Princeton Review names George Mason as a top Mid-Atlantic university for value.
These rankings measure how well universities provide high-quality education and opportunity while minimizing student debt and preparing graduates for long-term career advancement.
Academic Excellence
For academics, U.S. News ranks the university in the top 5 in Virginia for undergraduate programs in business, economics, computer science, engineering, nursing, and psychology. It also named George Mason as one of the best colleges for veterans and No. 1 in Virginia for several graduate programs, including online MBA for veterans, special education, industrial engineering, part-time law, public health, and public affairs and policy programs.
Overall, U.S. News ranks George Mason 57th among public universities nationwide and tied for 117th among all universities, both public and private.
Forbes places George Mason as 47th among publics and 114th nationally overall.
A Dream School
George Mason was recently featured in Jeff Selingo’s Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You as one of 75 universities recognized for strong job prospects after graduation and broad accessibility. George Mason achieves a 70% graduation rate while maintaining a 90% acceptance rate, with 85% of graduates staying in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region to work for leading employers.
The university is Virginia’s largest and most diverse student body in origin, identity, circumstance, and thought. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) ranked George Mason 21st among publics and 2nd in Virginia for its commitment to free speech and free thought, based on a survey of more than 250 students’ perception and experiences on campus.
“George Mason provides access and flexible pathways to academic excellence for all students interested in pursuing a rigorous education and bold research portfolio,” said Provost Jim Antony. “With graduation rates above national average and high post-degree job placement, George Mason supports students succeed both during their studies and after graduation through ongoing career services and a strong alumni network.”
A Talented Workforce
George Mason enrolled its largest incoming class of new undergraduates this fall, with about 70% of students holding a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and roughly one quarter achieved a 4.0 or higher. About one in four students is a first-generation college student, and transfer enrollment reached a three-year high, with a 4% increase over fall 2024, drawing in more than half of all transfer undergraduates.
To support student success, George Mason provides robust resources and opportunities, including:
- Internships for all students, with financial support for unpaid positions (U.S. News ranked George Mason as the No. 1 university in Virginia and 20th nationally for internships in 2025).
- Mason Career Academy, offering more than 90 online micro-credentials and industry-recognized certifications in fields such as data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, and IT support.
- Career resources, including multiple career fairs, professional development programs, career preparation courses, and job placement support.
George Mason graduates consistently achieve strong outcomes:
- Graduation rates above the national average—follows a record-setting Spring Commencement in which more than 12,000 students earned degrees or certificates.
- 85% of 2024 graduates reporting a positive career outcome within six months of graduation.
- Among the highest starting salaries of any Virginia public university—approximately $8,000 more on average.
- Strong regional impact, with 73% of in-state graduates and 29% of out-of-state graduates launching their careers in Virginia.
The full list of George Mason rankings is available at gmu.edu/rankings.
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