George Mason University

GMU offers online degrees that students can take in either a hybrid or fully online format. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 68% of GMU students are enrolled in at least some distance education courses, while just 18% are completing their degrees exclusively online. 

George Mason University has a very high graduation rate of 74%, which is 16% higher than the midpoint for other four-year universities. Additionally, graduates receive median annual earnings of $70,000, which is $16,000 higher than the median earnings from other universities' alumni. 

It's also an accredited school, meaning its programs and faculty have been evaluated by a third-party education agency. George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificates. 

OnlineU only features accredited online colleges and universities.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designates GMU as a Tier 1 university for its research productivity and impact, balanced undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences, high undergraduate enrollment, and its research doctoral degrees. 

GMU is best known for its high level of research efforts. Tens of millions of dollars are put towards research projects each year, with the school hoping to reach their goal of $225 million by 2024. The PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology allows online students to develop their own research in the areas of disease detection and drug science. 

The highest earning degree from GMU is the online Bachelor of Science in Computational and Data Sciences, where graduates can earn a median annual salary of $99,400, according to College Scorecard. The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology has the second highest earnings potential at approximately $94,900 per year. 

OnlineU's Salary Score is another helpful tool for estimating graduate earnings. This proprietary metric compares alumni salaries from different schools using the same degree. On a scale of 1 to 100, GMU scores a 73 at the bachelor's level, 84 at the master's level, and 62 at the doctoral level. 

Even though GMU is considered a Tier 1 university, its acceptance rate is quite high compared to other four-year universities. College Scorecard reports that 91% of GMU applicants are accepted for enrollment. 

So, why is GMU's rate so high? This could be because the school takes a holistic approach to admitting students, which includes the consideration of their entire academic portfolio. Plus, college entrance exam scores are optional. This opens the door for applicants who haven't taken the SAT or ACT.

Understanding how to pick a college is not the only thing to consider before applying. Students should also consider if they are even qualified to submit an application. GMU's admissions requirements mention that cumulative GPA is considered when applying as a first-year student, but an exact number is not provided. Graduate students applying to college at GMU must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 

First-year students hoping to attend GMU are required to complete the following steps to apply online: 

• Fill out the GMU online application. 
• Submit high school transcripts that show a cumulative GPA.
• Submit a personal essay.
• Submit a list of extracurricular activities.
• Submit teacher or counselor recommendations.