Choose George Mason University for one of the best values in higher education.
The Costello College of Business offers a world-class education with affordable tuition rates and many opportunities for financial support.
Funding your graduate education can be done through a number of methods including scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, student loans, employer-sponsored education benefits, and use of the GI Bill ® if you served in the military. We encourage you to work with our programs directly to learn more about program-specific and merit-based scholarships.
Tuition and Fee Structure
- Tuition: Tuition is billed per credit hour with additional fees as appropriate. If a student is a resident of Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., in-state rates will apply. For all other students, out-of-state rates will apply. Rates and fees are subject to change.
- Fees:
- Mandatory Student Fee: This is a mandatory fee based on credit enrollment. The Mandatory Student Fee supports the maintenance of facilities and buildings, auxiliary services, intercollegiate athletics, campus shuttle, academic services, student activities, and health services.
- 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. All applicants under the following categories will automatically have their enrollment deposits waived: Bachelor’s/Accelerated Masters (BAM), George Mason Employees, Refugees, Student/Athletes, and US Military Active Duty & Veterans.
- Graduate New Student Fee: This is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time $60 fee. The fee is charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student at the time of registration, regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status.
- Course Materials: Graduate business students may spend up to $150 on course materials, although the cost is often lower. These materials include textbooks, case studies, specialized software, business simulations, and professional development and experiential learning resources, which are essential for gaining practical skills and real-world insights.
- Health Insurance: George Mason University makes health insurance available to eligible students through Aetna Student Health. George Mason University requires J-1 and F-1 visa status students to have health insurance coverage under University Policy. The Insurance Office will automatically enroll F-1 and J-1 visa students into the school selected health plan. Visit the Student Health Services webpage for more information.
- Domestic student premiums can be found here.
- International student premiums can be found here.
For more information on current tuition rates and fees, visit the Student Accounts website.
FAFSA
To apply for need-based federal assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Learn more about applying for FAFSA.
Mason Scholarships and Funding Opportunities by Program
Master's in Management
Every applicant is automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship at admission. Applicants are notified of awards with their acceptance letter.
Master's in Accounting
Every applicant is automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship at admission. Applicants are notified of awards with their acceptance letter.
We offer graduate assistantships for both teaching and research positions, each providing you a partial or full tuition waiver. As a teaching assistant (TA), you conduct recitation sessions, work one-on-one with students, and grade assignments and examinations. As a research assistant (RA), you work with a faculty member or the Mason MSA program office on specific research initiatives. A graduate assistantship enables you to cover your expenses and gain unparalleled access to educational and research opportunities with the Costello College of Business. Students can apply for an assistantship after they have been admitted to the program.
Graduate assistants are required to enroll and complete a minimum of nine to 12 credits (not counting audit hours) for each fall and spring term assigned. In general, students are expected to carry a full 12-credit course load for the four semesters required to complete the MSA program.
Master's in Real Estate Development
The MS in real estate development program is able to award several scholarships each year thanks to the generosity of our alumni, advisory board, and members of the Northern Virginia real estate industry. More information about each of our scholarships can be found on the MS in real estate development program page.
Master's in Finance
Every applicant is automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship at admission. Applicants are notified of awards with their acceptance letter.
Mason Scholarships
Mason Foundation scholarships are open to all graduate students, to review and apply for scholarship opportunities offered through the Mason Scholarship Application. Candidates can apply for scholarships after they have accepted their Offer of Admission.
Military Benefits
George Mason University and the Costello College of Business are proud to welcome veterans, active duty service members, guardsmen, reservists, and their dependents to our community. Our dedicated Office of Military Services will connect you to a variety of services, including counseling and advising on benefits, academic and admissions requirements, and career transition guidance. We are a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® that provides opportunities for eligible military members to have up to 100% of their tuition covered.
Other Options
Student Positions
Student work positions are available to new students after they have accepted their Offer of Admission. These positions can come in several ways including part-time work, GTAs (teaching assistantships), GRAs (research assistantships), or GSAs (student assistantships). To learn more about On-Campus Jobs and Student Work Positions, visit the Office of University Career Services. For programs that offer Graduate Assistant positions, more information will be available after admission.
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. To learn more about Mason Graduate fellowships, visit the Office of Graduate Fellowships.
Tuition Reimbursement
Some employers offer tuition reimbursement for staff members to encourage retention and/or promotion within the company. Check with your Human Resources to see if there are tuition reimbursement benefits available as a part of your employment package. If you are an employer that would like to partner with the George Mason University's Costello College of Business to provide tuition assistance to your employees, please contact Kevin Connor, director of graduate enrollment.