Public Policy at George Mason University
If you plan to study Public Policy, consider the program at George Mason University. Get started with the following essential facts.
George Mason University sits in Fairfax, VA.
In the most recent year for which we have data, 89 public policy degrees were granted at George Mason University.
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Online Class Availability at George Mason University
Many students take online classes at George Mason University. Of 39,766 students, 7,435 (19%) were enrolled entirely in distance education and 20,269 (51%) took at least some classes online.
Public Policy Rankings at George Mason University
These rankings give you a sense of how George Mason University’s Public Policy program against peer institutions.
Master’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Value | Virginia | #1 of 6 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Virginia | #2 of 6 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #4 of 18 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #7 of 18 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #27 of 96 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #33 of 95 |
Doctoral-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Value | Virginia | #1 of 6 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Virginia | #2 of 6 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #4 of 18 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #7 of 18 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #27 of 96 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #33 of 95 |
Earnings for Public Policy Graduates from George Mason University
Students who complete George Mason University’s Public Policy program earn at the following median levels (per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard):
| Years After Graduation | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,617 |
| 2 years | $71,509 |
| 3 years | $83,501 |
| 4 years | $94,800 |
| 5 years | $112,560 |
How does this compare to the school overall? Four years after graduating, Public Policy graduates from George Mason University take home a median $94,800, compared with $79,668 for all George Mason University graduates — about 19% higher than the school-wide median.
Student Demographics & Diversity
The following sections describe the composition of Public Policy graduates at George Mason University, by degree type.
Across all degree levels, Public Policy graduates at George Mason University are 54% women (48) and 46% men (41).
Public Policy Master’s Program at George Mason University
Of the 81 master’s public policy degrees awarded at George Mason University, 54% were women (44) and 46% were men (37).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Public Policy master’s degree recipients at George Mason University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 38 |
| Hispanic / Latino | 9 |
| Black / African American | 18 |
| Asian | 2 |
| American Indian / Alaska Native | 1 |
| Two or More Races | 3 |
| International (Nonresident) | 5 |
| Unknown | 5 |
Racial-ethnic minorities make up 41% of Public Policy master’s degree recipients at George Mason University, above the national average of 33%.*
Public Policy Doctoral Program at George Mason University
Among the 7 doctoral public policy degrees awarded at George Mason University, 43% were women (3) and 57% were men (4).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Public Policy doctoral degree recipients at George Mason University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 1 |
| Black / African American | 1 |
| Two or More Races | 1 |
| International (Nonresident) | 4 |
Racial-ethnic minorities make up 29% of Public Policy doctoral degree recipients at George Mason University, below the national average of 31%.*
*The racial-ethnic minorities figure is the total number of graduates minus White, international (nonresident), and unknown-race graduates.
More Specific Public Policy Concentrations at George Mason University
The Public Policy program at George Mason University offers more specialized concentrations:
| Concentration | Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Public Policy Analysis | 87 |
| Education Policy Analysis | 1 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 1 |
Top-Paying Careers for Public Policy Graduates
Those who complete Public Policy program at George Mason University work across a variety of fields. The table below ranks the highest-paying careers for Public Policy majors, ordered by median annual salary:
| Occupation | Nationwide Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Legislators | $167,600 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,472 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $41,630 |
References
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
- U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
- O*NET Online (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- National Center for Education Statistics
More about our data sources and methodologies.