Decoding the Costs: An In-Depth Look at George Mason University's MBA Tuition

For professionals seeking to advance their careers, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is often a strategic investment. George Mason University, with its Costello College of Business, offers several MBA program options, including online and evening programs, catering to various needs and schedules. Understanding the tuition costs associated with these programs is crucial for prospective students. This article delves into the tuition structure, additional fees, financial aid opportunities, and other cost-related aspects of the George Mason University MBA program.

George Mason's MBA Program: An Overview

George Mason University is an ideal option if you are looking for a high-caliber, evening program that is personal, and relevant. News & World Report among the top 100 professional MBA programs. With campuses centrally located in Fairfax and just outside Washington, D.C., in Arlington, it is convenient for you to earn a degree without interrupting your career. You'll complete the core requirements within a cohort experienced professionals with proven leadership skill that you can draw on for team projects and other coursework. The knowledge you gain will be a real time benefit in your professional role. After completing the core courses, you will complete electives at your own pace earning your MBA in as few as 23 months.

The George Mason University School of Business offers an online master of business administration (MBA) with a general track or the optional integration of a graduate certificate in business analytics. The primary focus areas of the program include analytical decision-making, contemporary business issues, functional business disciplines, and collaborative leadership and communication. Students have the option of participating in a one-week global residency in which they study organizations abroad, complete a team project, and gain new perspectives on business. The graduate certificate in business analytics focuses on data collection, organization, analysis, and reporting. The online program is taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program and is offered part-time for greater flexibility for working professionals.

Understanding the Tuition Structure

The George Mason University MBA degree tuition is $1,016.75 per credit hour for residents of the state of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and $1,896.75 per credit hour for out-of-state and international students. The George Mason University online MBA tuition numbers for all online students (regardless of residency status) are listed in the tables below, and include a per-credit distance learning fee. Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified.

For the current school year, the George Mason University MBA degree tuition is $1,016.75 per credit hour for residents of the state of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and $1,896.75per credit hour for out-of-state and international students. The George Mason University MBA program requires 48 credits in total.

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Tuition is $1,105.50 per credit hour. George Mason University Online MBA tuition numbers for all online students (regardless of residency status) are listed in the tables below, and include a per-credit distance learning fee.

It's important to note that tuition rates and fees are subject to change. Prospective online students should contact the admissions department of the George Mason School of Business for total costs.

Additional Fees

Beyond the per-credit tuition costs, students should be aware of additional fees that contribute to the overall expense of the MBA program. These may include:

Mandatory Student Fee: This fee is billed per credit hour.
Graduate New Student Fee: This is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time fee.
Course Materials: Depending on the program, graduate business students may spend up to $150 on course materials for each course, although the cost is often lower.
Health Insurance: George Mason University makes health insurance available to eligible students through Aetna Student Health. The Student Health Insurance Plan has been developed especially for Mason students; however, individual students might benefit from other policies. The plan provides coverage for illnesses and injuries locally and when you travel either domestically or abroad and is accepted by many local healthcare providers. The student health insurance plan is structured to meet federal mandates set forth by the Affordable Care Act.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

This estimated budget is called the cost of attendance (COA). Your total financial aid package and outside resources/scholarships may not exceed the COA. Graduate estimated tuition costs are based on 9 credits per semester. Tuition may vary depending on your academic program.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

George Mason University offers financial aid in the form of grants, merit scholarships, and federal loans through the FAFSA application. George Mason MBA Program awards merit-based scholarships to highly-qualified MBA students who demonstrate intellectual promise in the business field through past academic performance, GMAT test scores, and previous relevant experience.

All Costello College of Business Master’s programs review candidates for scholarships during application review. For some awards, candidates are notified with their Offer of Admission letter.

Online MBA students may also seek financial aid from outside resources such as community organizations and societies. In addition, prospective students can check with their employer concerning tuition reimbursement programs for employees seeking an MBA.

Graduate Assistantships and Student Work Positions: Student positions are available to new students after they have accepted their Offer of Admission. These positions can come in several ways including part-time student wage work, GTAs (teaching assistantships), GRAs (research assistantships), or GSAs (student assistantships).
Graduate Fellowships: Graduate fellowships are awards that provide support to master’s and doctoral students for research, writing, fieldwork, language study, professional development, or independent projects undertaken in conjunction with a degree program.
Tuition Reimbursement: Some employers offer tuition reimbursement for staff members to encourage retention and/or promotion within the company.
Corporate Partners Program: Employees of the Costello College of Business Corporate Partners are entitled to tuition discounts on their graduate education.
Professional Connections: The Costello College of Business Graduate Programs has connected with employers throughout the DC Metro Area to provide tuition assistance to their employees.
Academic Connections: Costello College of Business Graduate Programs has connected with academic institutions throughout the region to provide tuition assistance to recent graduates of their institution.

Additional Cost Considerations

Prospective students should also consider costs beyond tuition and fees, such as living expenses, transportation, and technology requirements. While there are no on-site requirements for the online Mason MBA, students may take the optional one-week study abroad experience to fulfill the global requirement. New to online learning? Please note that students are responsible for airfare to and from the residency location.

Enrollment Deposit

All new masters and certificate students must pay a $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit, which is used to reserve your seat for the term to which you applied and is applied toward your tuition.

Work-Study Programs

George Mason University offers work-study programs designed to provide financial support and practical experience for eligible students. These opportunities typically include on-campus jobs that allow students to earn money while attending classes. Additionally, the university supports internships that may be related to students' fields of study, offering valuable hands-on experience alongside academic work. International students are able to participate in work-study opportunities, although their eligibility may depend on their visa status and other federal regulations.

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Online MBA Program Details

As a Costello Online MBA student at George Mason University, you are able to learn in a flexible online environment allowing working professionals to access the curriculum from anywhere. The Costello Online MBA at George Mason University is an ideal fit for professionals who are seeking a high-caliber education within a flexible, competitively priced, part-time program. The Costello Online MBA program accepts applications on a rolling basis and is currently accepting applications. The program has Fall, Spring, or Summer start terms.

Courses for the Costello Online MBA are offered in convenient, part-time online asynchronous format. An optional, in-person, one-week residency abroad can be used to satisfy the global course requirement. The Costello Online MBA’s optional global residency gives students the opportunity to travel for a week abroad, visiting and studying companies in a foreign country while completing a team project. The optional Business Analytics Graduate Certificate can be integrated into the overall curriculum.

MBA classes for part-time online students are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning they can be viewed interactively at your convenience. Courses for the Costello Online MBA are offered in convenient, part-time online asynchronous format.

Study Plan

The online MBA is part-time and is designed to be completed in just 33 months. Students may begin in the fall, winter, or spring and can take up to six years to complete the program. Online courses last eight weeks and students take one course at a time. Online graduate students should expect to spend eight to twelve hours per week for each class.

Curriculum

The George Mason University online MBA program comprises 48 credits. To earn a concentration in business analytics, students can integrate the graduate certificate in business analytics into their program in place of the elective requirements.

Online Experience

Courses for the online MBA are asynchronous and delivered through the Blackboard learning management system (LMS). Students collaborate through discussion boards, chat rooms, and online blogs. Assignments and assessments can be completed and submitted online through the available Blackboard technologies. Students access online courses through the myMason portal and should ensure they have all the required equipment to access courses. Online students should set aside adequate time for class preparation and coursework, expect to collaborate regularly with faculty and fellow students, and be self-directed learners. Each course requires 8 to 12 hours per week.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the online MBA must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A minimum of two years professional work experience is required to apply. Admissions materials include an online application, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, a goals statement (750 words or less), GMAT/GRE test scores, and an optional one-minute video introduction. Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with their application but will need official transcripts if admitted.

International students who do not have a degree from a country where the primary language is English must provide proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS test scores. In addition, all transcripts must be translated into English and George Mason will provide a transcript evaluation at no charge to the student.

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