George Mason University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$55,260
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$25,536/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
824%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
George Mason University's in-state tuition costs $13,815. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $55,366. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $60,536, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $76,343. The median debt for graduates is $19,500, and 34.3% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates is favorable. The median debt of $19,500 is significantly less than the one-year post-graduation earnings of $55,366. This suggests graduates can manage their debt effectively with their early-career earnings.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year. The difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost is $41,551.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$13,815
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$60,536
Graduation Rate
70%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $133,421 | 3462% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $61,734 | 868% |
| Psychology, General | $109,313 | 2590% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $65,996 | 1022% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $134,789 | 3512% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $61,608 | 863% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $83,986 | 1673% |
| Biology, General | $53,237 | 560% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $53,166 | 557% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $83,562 | 1658% |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $89,833 | 1885% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $117,727 | 2894% |
Peer Comparison
824%
20yr ROI
630%
20yr ROI
1193%
20yr ROI
1009%
20yr ROI
1004%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.