George Mason University
#801
QS Rank
75%
Acceptance rate
10.7%
Intl. students
$28,000
Tuition/yr
51,567
Enrollment
24:1
Student:Faculty
About George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D. C.
George Mason University is a public research university founded in 1972 and located in Fairfax, Virginia, approximately 20 miles from Washington D.C. It is Virginia's largest university, enrolling around 39,766 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs as of 2024–25.
GMU has particular strength in cybersecurity engineering, computer science, economics, and public policy. Its cybersecurity program ranks among the top 10 public university programs nationally, and the university placed 20 graduate programs in the U.S. News national top 50. The economics department is notably associated with the Mercatus Center, a prominent economics research institution on campus.
The main campus in Fairfax sits in the Northern Virginia technology corridor, one of the densest concentrations of government agencies, defense contractors, and tech firms in the United States. GMU also operates campuses in Arlington and Prince William County, offering students direct proximity to federal government and private-sector employers.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
VA
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates from CRICOS-registered programs qualify for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.
For Nepali students
Northern Virginia and DC area has one of the largest and most professionally successful Nepali communities in the USA.
- GMU's cybersecurity engineering, computer science, and information technology programs are STEM-designated, making graduates eligible for up to 36 months of STEM OPT work authorization in the U.S. after completing their degree, a significant post-study work pathway for Nepali students.
- Annual international undergraduate tuition is approximately $39,312 (2025–26), which is mid-range for major U.S. public research universities; GMU automatically considers all admitted international freshmen for merit scholarships, and the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship specifically targets international students.
- Located in Northern Virginia's technology and federal government hub, Nepali students in STEM or policy fields have strong internship and full-time employment access to major employers including Amazon Web Services, Booz Allen Hamilton, and numerous federal agencies.
- With over 4,200 international students from 130+ countries representing roughly 11% of total enrollment, GMU has an established international student support office (OIPS) and a notably diverse campus environment, which eases the social transition for students from Nepal.
Programs(3)
Master of Science — Data Analytics Engineering
College of Engineering & Computing
Data Science & AnalyticsData last verified from official sources · Disclaimer
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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