George Mason University Acceptance Rate
Fairfax, Virginia · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 22,579
- Admitted
- 20,057
- Yield
- 22.2%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, George Mason University's acceptance rate has risen from 66.6% in 2014–15 to 88.8% in 2023–24.
Its 88.8% rate makes George Mason University more selective than about 24% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Virginia schools, it is more selective than about 33%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (90.3% for women vs 87.1% for men, a 3.2-point gap). George Mason University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 22.2% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 22,532 | 15,017 | 66.6% | 3,080 |
| 2015–16 | 21,981 | 15,138 | 68.9% | 3,181 |
| 2016–17 | 15,548 | 12,592 | 81% | 3,214 |
| 2017–18 | 18,993 | 15,446 | 81.3% | 3,489 |
| 2018–19 | 19,557 | 15,852 | 81.1% | 3,711 |
| 2019–20 | 19,554 | 16,962 | 86.7% | 3,763 |
| 2020–21 | 21,198 | 18,909 | 89.2% | 3,561 |
| 2021–22 | 20,527 | 18,741 | 91.3% | 3,986 |
| 2022–23 | 20,001 | 18,001 | 90% | 4,144 |
| 2023–24 | 22,579 | 20,057 | 88.8% | 4,451 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 12,094 | 10,926 | 90.3% |
| Men | 10,485 | 9,131 | 87.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 580–670 | 35% |
| SAT Math | 560–670 | |
| ACT Composite | 25–30 | 3% |
How George Mason University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is George Mason University's acceptance rate?
George Mason University's acceptance rate is 88.8% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (20,057 admitted of 22,579 applicants).
Is George Mason University test optional?
George Mason University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to George Mason University?
George Mason University received 22,579 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 20,057.
What SAT score do you need for George Mason University?
Admitted students at George Mason University typically scored 580–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 560–670 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is George Mason University getting harder to get into?
George Mason University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 66.6% in 2014–15 to 88.8% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www2.gmu.edu/.