George Mason University Reviews

  • 260 Reviews
  • Fairfax (VA)
  • Annual Tuition: $38,983
90% of 260 students said this degree improved their career prospects
93% of 260 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Ignacio V
  • Reviewed: 1/17/2024
  • Degree: Teaching
"I feel scammed by this GMU. I applied to GMU with one day to spare for the deadline to register. They took more than 48 business hours to process my application causing me a late fee. This is the second time in a row that they do this. I strongly feel like they deliberately do this to take advantage of new students. GMU also creates unnecessary holes to jump through in the registration process in order to increase the chances of a late registration. I have applied to close to 20 different universities in my lifetime, this university has been the least welcoming, least accommodating and least willing to remove discouraging late registration fees. They also make the process very difficult to audit my first class that I would miss otherwise because they were late with my registration. I spoke with someone from graduate registration that could not even resend me the registration email for my acceptance. The acceptance email is the only way I can register for classes which is very limiting."
Student in Distress
  • Reviewed: 2/28/2022
  • Degree: Social Work
"The leadership within this program consistently and utterly fails students. It can be deemed a money-making scheme. Not only will leadership and several professors be insufficient in teaching content within courses- when you fail, it is your fault and none of their own. The consistency in grading, present content and information, and helpful feedback from professors vary greatly from semester to semester. You never know what you are going to get here but it will never be accountability. Please for the love of spending money on an actual degree program- do not attend this institution for this degree program. Save yourself thousands of dollars and attend somewhere where the faculty and leadership actually cares about your success."
Patriot01
  • Reviewed: 2/20/2020
  • Degree: Software Engineering
"This review is especially for future active duty, retired, and separated veterans living in the same area whom are deciding on a school and degree program that best fits their needs. Over the course of 15 years I have attended 4 accredited universities and multiple colleges while in the USA and overseas. Both my roommate and I are Marines and graduate students currently living on campus. In a region where cyber security, cloud computing, and data science have taken center stage if you live in the tri-state area—the variety of classes and ability to take cross discipline courses is what attracted me to this university and may potentially be beneficial for others with a military background. The Office of Military Services (OMS) is excellent and in the Volgenau School Engineering there are many faculty that truly love their field and teaching. Unfortunately while at GMU, I have learned matters of administration are just as important if not more important than academics. Having staff ignore, avoid answering/processing, not responding to, or provide false information to students submitting for financial aid, registration, department requirements, and housing happens to both my roommate and I consistently each semester. The result is both my roommate and I being on the verge of not having a place to live or threats of eviction as full time students despite being in good academic standing and dealing with staff that find this humorous. There is an endemic of indifference in many departments at GMU from my experience specifically targeted at anyone with any connection to the government. Somehow dislike for the current President has translated to dislike for students that were in the military or perceived to be pro-MAGA. As much as I would like to give this university an A+ for quality of education right now it is an F because the OMS can only do so much when a toxic culture is so widespread. I will follow-up this review with another one once I am closer to graduation."
Aurora Johnston
  • Reviewed: 8/9/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"Overall I am glad I attending GMU. I had amazing opportunities in career advancement and I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took. It's the best school for doing undergraduate research. Professors took interest in students' goals and lives and my biology degree program was rigorous but rewarding."
Sonya
  • Reviewed: 6/20/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"I was an off-campus student, so I was not always there. However, there were many helpful staff here. I never had trouble getting help when I needed it. The professors were helpful and friendly. What I like about GMU was its proximity to Washington DC. The location of the college gave students an endless amount of possibilities to prosper and engage with their community. The diversity of GMU made everyone feel included. There were so many options on campus that provide multiple different opportunities for students to get involved and find something everyone can be interested in. The campus was busy and beautiful without being too spread out which could make it harder to get around fast. The performance art center also offered a great variety of shows, musicals, and plays. It was great that students can get a free or discounted tickets for some of the shows."
Angelina
  • Reviewed: 6/20/2019
  • Degree: Forensic Science
"I think the overall grade of the university itself is a 3/5. The specific program I went through however, forensic science, deserves a 5/5. The forensic science department at George Mason University is out standing. The professors are real world working adults who have had their experience working in the field (mostly government) and get to share their knowledge and experience with their students through their teaching. The program is very straight forward about their expectations and works with you if a problem ever arises. Their curriculum really prepares you for the real world. As for George Mason University itself, don't come here. This university nickels and dimes their students to death and over charges for everything. Everything here is so expensive and unnecessary. The food is terrible, certain departments lost their accreditation, and most professors need to be fired. The university cares more about its image and how it portrays to people than how your experience will be on this campus. They do not listen to people's opinion, they do not have most resources they say they do when compared to other universities. It is the biggest scam."
Dont come back to this place if you want to continue your edducation.
  • Reviewed: 6/14/2019
  • Degree: Information Systems
"If I could give this place zero starts I would. If you left this place and want to come back do so within 10 years or less as if you are 10 years and one day you are out of luck. They will accept the general courses but any classes that is a core course for your major will have to be taken again. So all the time and money that you had spend to get your degree is gone. In my case I had two classes left to finish but now I have to retake two years of classes if I want to get my degree from them. Right now I am looking for a school which will take all my previous work and credits so I can get my degree with out spending and paraphrasing john steward the commodity that I dont have which is time."
Tatevik Ananyan
  • Reviewed: 6/12/2019
"George Mason was a wonderful university dedicated to helping its students succeed. It prepared me well for my future and I hope to pay my respects and gratitude to the school once I am a professional. I expect to be a exemplary student at Baylor university as well."
Holly Stevenson
  • Reviewed: 5/11/2019
  • Degree: Sports Management
"George Mason University was a great experience for me. The sports management program does great at touching every different aspect of what that management looks like. Whether it is through marketing, operations, hospitality, or journalism. They do a great job of combining class room experience with practical experience and by requiring an internship before graduating it helps confirm that you are doing what you are interested in."
Charya Lon
  • Reviewed: 12/28/2018
  • Degree: Communications
"GMU is a fine university. At the time they did not offer a program in broadcast journalism, so I earned my bachelors degree in Communications with an emphasis in Media Productions. Three years after graduating, I became a full-time News Reporter for WHAG an NBC affiliate in Hagerstown, MD."
Joshua Keruski
  • Reviewed: 8/1/2018
  • Degree: Political Science
"George Mason University is a wonderful academic institution that offers a wide array of opportunities to its students. I was fortunate to study abroad, be part of the Army ROTC program, present and conduct research, and be apart of various organizations on campus."
Rabail Hussain
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2018
  • Degree: Biology
"George Mason University is a great option for both in-state and out of state students. It offers a multitude of classes, both online and in person on multiple campuses, as well as a myriad of extracurricular activities. No matter where your interests lie or what your chosen career path is, George Mason University will be able to help you. There are some wonderful professors at the university that take a very real and invested interest in the lives of their students. They do their best to help you succeed. I would recommend considering making GMU your home to anyone who is interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree."
Delia Racines
  • Reviewed: 3/18/2018
  • Degree: Teaching
"George Mason University's Ph.D. program provided me an amazing education that has allowed me to do what I love each day. This is an excellent fit if your passion is education and wish to provide students with equitable opportunities and outcomes. The professors are supportive and knowledgeable and provide a number of opportunities for various careers after you complete your doctorate."
ashwin ravishankar
  • Reviewed: 3/16/2018
  • Degree: Information Technology
"The department of computer science offers excellent coursework for the students. The professors at the university have excellent knowledge in the field of teaching. The research work being conducted at the university is groundbreaking and has much to offer. I personally feel the university's expectation of students will drive the scholars to greatness."
Hne913
  • Reviewed: 3/10/2018
  • Degree: Liberal Studies
"I attended George Mason University as an older student, transferring there at the age of 26. Coming from a two-year community college I found the professors at Mason to be excellent and personable. I attended what is now called the School of Integrative Studies, where classes are competency based, writing based and experience based. Most of our grading was based on group projects and essays, which as a writer I really enjoyed. The school of thought in Integrative Studies is that cramming for multiple choice tests that we promptly forget half the answers of after the course is over doesn't actually set us up for real-world interaction and practicality. This is why the classes are competency based and more group focused. I loved these courses because I have never completely understood the rigid academia around cumulative tests and memorization (unless you're memorizing things that will be applicable to your future job - like engineering or something). Most of our classes were non-conformative in the sense that we may sit in circles, or do yoga during a class. Yes, it was the "hippie college" on campus. Because of this though I developed personal relationships with my professors and felt comfortable approaching them about my course needs. They were all very welcoming and warm and collaborative with us as students which gave off an air of respect and resoprosity. I'm not saying I wasn't challenged - because I was. One of the requirements of Integrative Studies was experiential learning, which meant going out into the community and putting what you're learning into action with strangers. At least in my situation they were usually strangers. This was a growth experience for me in learning to put myself out there for something I'm working on achieving, regardless of how comfortable I am with that action. At times it was very uncomfortable, but I survived and learned about myself in the process. Being an older student I wondered if the debt incurred getting a bachelors was worth it. From the moment I graduated to present day I have never felt it wasn't. I have received jobs simply because I have a bachelors - it put me on some invisible ground that not having one prevented me from stepping on. I have never regretted the debt, it put me in a higher pay bracket, and I feel proud when I think about that moment I walked across the stage, family watching, and shook hands with a professor congratulating me on my diploma. Mason was a fantastic and beautiful campus to take courses at and receive it from."
Jasmine
  • Reviewed: 12/20/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"Very knowledgeable professors, great counselors and facilities . Very inviting atmosphere. The location and campus is great . Wide variety of programs and opportunities . Lots of access to internships. Experience is what you make of it . Only downside is the parking ."
Joy T.
  • Reviewed: 12/6/2017
  • Degree: Healthcare Administration
"George Mason University Is a great university located in Fairfax Virginia. It is barely a new school in terms of campus life when I attended but since has continued to grow and become more of a traditional feel. Its location is superb being minutes from Washington DC and also close to Quantico Virginia where there are tons of private public and federal job opportunities. One of the best assets that the school has is its location and diversity and quality professors who are typically local professionals that can really teach from experience and be a lifelong mentor and resource."
Avis Foster
  • Reviewed: 11/1/2017
  • Degree: Mathematics
"As an undergraduate Mathematics major at George Mason University, I gained foundational analytical and theoretical knowledge that has prepared me for a career in technical applications. I had the opportunity to perform undergraduate research with well-respected faculty and to work closely with peers in the study of numerical modeling of biological systems. Those experiences prepared me to interact and communicate with a broad range of professionals, and has given me the confidence to pursue and overcome challenges in the workplace."
Daisha DeFinis
  • Reviewed: 9/5/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"George Mason as a whole was a great school. The population on campus is very diversed, which was great! The Social Work program was fine, but there is always room for improvement. The campus felt safe most of the time and was very clean. I would recommend George Mason to anyone who is interested."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Education
"College was a great time to explore a variety of things that you never thought you might be interested in. Branch out and enjoy!"