George Mason University (GMU)
Updated 31 August 2026
| Campus Location | Fairfax, Virginia / Washington DC Metro |
| University Type | Public R1 Capital Research University |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,000 USD / year (~₹28.2 Lakhs) |
| In-State Rate (With TA/RA) | $16,500 USD / year (With Assistantship Waiver) |
| Monthly Living Expenses | $1,200 - $1,500 / month |
| Off-Campus Housing Difficulty | 7.5 / 10 (Northern Virginia Rent Market) |
| Target Admission Cutoff | 7.2+ Indian CGPA (3.0+ US WES GPA) |
Executive Summary: Why Indian Families Choose George Mason University (GMU)
George Mason University (GMU) located in Fairfax, Virginia / Washington DC Metro is a premier choice for Indian international students seeking STEM Master's degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering.
George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Virginia is located right next to Washington D.C. and Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington. GMU is a major hub for cybersecurity, cloud computing, and defense tech contractors.
Key Pillars for Parents and Students:
- Tech Hub & Recruiter Access: Located near Northern Virginia Tech Corridor & Amazon HQ2 (Arlington, Defense Tech, Cybersecurity), offering direct career fair access to top US corporate recruiters.
- Graduate Assistantship (TA/RA) Savings: Graduate Assistantships in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) provide tuition waivers and monthly stipends.
- Off-Campus Student Housing: Students live in Fairfax, Vienna, and Centreville, sharing apartments for $650 to $900/month per student.
2-Year Financial Outlay Breakdown:
| Expense Category | Annual Amount (USD) | When Do You Pay This? | Deep-Dive Playbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,000 USD / year | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Total Cost Breakdown |
| In-State Tuition (With TA/RA) | $16,500 USD / year (With Assistantship Waiver) | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Assistantships Ta Ra Ga |
| Off-Campus Housing Rent | $1,200 - $1,500 / month | Monthly to Landlord | Off Campus Housing Lease |
| Health Insurance (ISO Waiver) | ~$800 / year | Annual (Waiver Approved) | Health Insurance Waiver Guide |
Admission Requirements & Application Checklist
To apply for graduate programs at George Mason University (GMU), Indian applicants must submit:
- WES Credential Evaluation: Course-by-course transcript conversion to 4.0 US scale (WES Credential Evaluation Manual).
- GRE / GMAT Test Requirement: GRE Waived for CEC engineering graduate programs (GRE GMAT Waiver Directory).
- English Language Proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80+ / IELTS 6.5 Band / Duolingo DET 120+ (TOEFL IELTS Duolingo Cutoffs).
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Academic SOP referencing faculty research labs (Sop Lor Resume US Standards).
- Priority Application Deadline: March 1 (Fall Intake) (Priority vs Rolling Deadlines).
Top STEM Master's Programs for International Students
- MS in Computer Science (MS CS) — CEC; STEM Designated (
11.0701) - MS in Data Analytics Engineering — High Placement in DC Metro
- MS in Cybersecurity Engineering — Top Security Labs
- MS in Information Systems —
Programs at George Mason University (GMU)
| Program | Tuition per year | Living per year | Minimum GPA | IELTS | GRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Computer ScienceFall: Priority: Dec 1 | Final: Mar 1 · Spring: Priority: Aug 15 | Final: Oct 15 | $41,124 | $18,060 | 3.0/4.0 or equivalent | 6.5 | Optional |
| MS in Data ScienceFall: Priority: Dec 1 | Final: Mar 1 · Spring: Priority: Aug 15 | Final: Oct 15 | $41,124 | $18,060 | 3.0/4.0 or equivalent | 6.5 | Optional |
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the Amazon HQ2 advantage at GMU?
Amazon's secondary headquarters (HQ2) in Arlington, VA is located 15 minutes from GMU, driving massive tech hiring in Northern Virginia.
Is GRE required for GMU MS CS?
GRE is currently waived for engineering and computer science programs at GMU.
What is the living cost near GMU Fairfax?
Shared off-campus student rent in Fairfax / Northern VA averages $650 to $900/month.
What is the tuition fee at GMU?
Out-of-state tuition is ~$34,000/year.