MS at George Mason University, Fairfax — Cost, Community & Job Market Guide for Indian Students (2026)
Quick answer
George Mason University is a public university in Fairfax City, Fairfax, Virginia, part of the Washington DC region. Federal IT job market; huge Indian cohort. Tuition: $1,650.00 per credit hour for nonresident/out-of-state graduate students (2025-2026 academic year, general graduate rate, not confirmed CS-specific), plus a mandatory student fee of $163.50/credit. An in-state figure of $872/credit was found for an earlier cycle (AY24-25) but not independently re-verified for the current year.. (Source: George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF, verified August 2026.)
Quick facts
- George Mason University is located in Fairfax City, Fairfax, Virginia.
- School type: Public. Cost tier (relative to this dataset): Mid.
- Nearest metro: Washington DC.
- Tuition: $1,650.00 per credit hour for nonresident/out-of-state graduate students (2025-2026 academic year, general graduate rate, not confirmed CS-specific), plus a mandatory student fee of $163.50/credit. An in-state figure of $872/credit was found for an earlier cycle (AY24-25) but not independently re-verified for the current year.. (Source: George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF, verified August 2026.)
- Program duration: 30 credit hours (10 courses). (Source: George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF, verified August 2026.)
- Intake cycle: Fall 2026: Standard March 15, 2026; space-available for F1/J1 visa holders June 1, 2026; space-available domestic August 15, 2026. Spring 2026: Standard October 15, 2025; space-available international November 1, 2025; space-available domestic December 15, 2025.. (Source: George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF, verified August 2026.)
- STEM-OPT eligibility is not stated here as confirmed — confirm directly with the university [VERIFY].
What is George Mason University known for among Indian applicants?
Federal IT job market; huge Indian cohort. This is a starting-point observation from aggregate application patterns, not a guarantee of admission or outcome for any individual applicant [VERIFY: current admissions data].
What does the total cost at George Mason University actually look like?
As of August 2026, George Mason University's tuition is $1,650.00 per credit hour for nonresident/out-of-state graduate students (2025-2026 academic year, general graduate rate, not confirmed CS-specific), plus a mandatory student fee of $163.50/credit. An in-state figure of $872/credit was found for an earlier cycle (AY24-25) but not independently re-verified for the current year.. (Source: George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF, verified August 2026.) Note: STEM-OPT status could not be confirmed by name on an official page — GMU's STEM-Designated Programs page describes the nomination process and links to an internal list that was not directly viewable, and the OIPS STEM-OPT page directs students to check their own I-20 CIP code rather than naming qualifying programs. This is one figure from one point in time — tuition changes year to year, so confirm the current rate directly before budgeting around it. Total cost means tuition plus living expenses plus travel, not tuition alone — a lower sticker price in a higher cost-of-living metro can still add up to more than a higher sticker price in a cheaper town. Convert every number to INR at the exchange rate on the day you check, not a rate quoted in an old blog post.
Is the MS program at George Mason University STEM-OPT eligible?
STEM-OPT eligibility is set at the individual program level by its CIP code, not the university as a whole, and was not explicitly confirmed from an official source in this pass [VERIFY: stemOptEligible]. Confirm the CIP code and STEM designation for this exact program directly with George Mason University's international student office.
Is there a job market near George Mason University?
George Mason University sits close to Washington DC, a metro with active tech hiring [VERIFY: current hiring pattern]. Proximity to a job market is not a guarantee of a job, a visa, or a specific salary — outcomes depend on your program, your OPT-stage networking, and the hiring market at the time you graduate.
What is daily life like for an Indian student at George Mason University?
Specific details on the local Indian community, grocery access, and transport options near Fairfax City are not compiled here [VERIFY: confirm with current students or the school's international student association before you commit]. Most campuses run an official Indian Students Association or similar group — check the school's student organizations directory directly.
| Field | Status | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,650.00 per credit hour for nonresident/out-of-state graduate students (2025-2026 academic year, general graduate rate, not confirmed CS-specific), plus a mandatory student fee of $163.50/credit. An in-state figure of $872/credit was found for an earlier cycle (AY24-25) but not independently re-verified for the current year. (as of August 2026) | George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF |
| Program duration | 30 credit hours (10 courses) | George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF |
| School type / cost tier | Public / Mid | This dataset (relative ranking, not a dollar figure) |
| Nearest metro | Washington DC | — |
| STEM-OPT / CIP code | [VERIFY] | George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF |
| Intake cycle / deadlines | Fall 2026: Standard March 15, 2026; space-available for F1/J1 visa holders June 1, 2026; space-available domestic August 15, 2026. Spring 2026: Standard October 15, 2025; space-available international November 1, 2025; space-available domestic December 15, 2025. | George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF |
A program that fits your specific budget and job-market plan beats a program with a familiar name and a vague plan.
Building your MS timeline around a skills gap you'll need to close before OPT starts? See how a focused, project-based track fits alongside your degree.
Explore for international studentsRelated reading: this city's guide, this state's guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will I regret choosing George Mason University over a bigger-name school?
Depends what you're optimizing for. If it's total cost and a realistic path to a job in Washington DC, a less-famous name is not automatically a worse choice — regret usually comes from an unclear budget or job-market plan, not the school's name recognition.
What is the tuition at George Mason University?
As of August 2026, $1,650.00 per credit hour for nonresident/out-of-state graduate students (2025-2026 academic year, general graduate rate, not confirmed CS-specific), plus a mandatory student fee of $163.50/credit. An in-state figure of $872/credit was found for an earlier cycle (AY24-25) but not independently re-verified for the current year., per George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF. Confirm the current figure directly before budgeting, since tuition changes year to year.
Is George Mason University a good option for an Indian MS applicant?
Depends on your budget, target job market, and risk tolerance — not university ranking. Compare total cost and the Washington DC job market against your own priorities.
Is the MS program at George Mason University STEM-OPT eligible?
STEM-OPT status is set per program by CIP code. Confirm directly with George Mason University's international student office. [VERIFY]
What is the nearest big city to George Mason University?
Washington DC. Many graduates relocate there after OPT begins if the campus town itself has limited tech hiring. [VERIFY: typical pattern for this program]
Is there an Indian community near George Mason University in Fairfax?
Not compiled here in detail. Confirm with current students or the school's international student association. [VERIFY]
When can I apply to George Mason University?
As of August 2026, reported intake: Fall 2026: Standard March 15, 2026; space-available for F1/J1 visa holders June 1, 2026; space-available domestic August 15, 2026. Spring 2026: Standard October 15, 2025; space-available international November 1, 2025; space-available domestic December 15, 2025., per George Mason's official graduate catalog program page, College of Engineering and Computing admissions-deadlines page, and student accounts tuition-and-fee-rates PDF. Deadlines shift year to year, so confirm the current cycle directly.
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