Rankings

George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government earned strong marks in the latest U.S. News & World Report graduate rankings, with five MPA specialty areas in the top 30 nationally and all seven in the top 50. The rankings also highlight the school’s leadership in Virginia and the broader DMV region.

Programs rank in Top 50 nationally for health care administration and nursing and #1 in Virginia for public health and nursing

According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Program rankings, George Mason University placed 20 programs in the national top 50, including seven in the top 10, reflecting broad strength across business, engineering, law, nursing and public health, public policy, education, fine arts, and sciences. Regionally, seven programs ranked in the top three in the Washington, D.C., region, with 13 programs topping at No. 1 in Virginia.

George Mason University has been named to the top 100 U.S. universities for patents. This spring, the National Academy of Inventors ranked George Mason No. 92 on its list for patents granted during 2025.

George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing earned top recognition in the 2026 U.S. News online program rankings, with its online IT program for veterans placing among the nation’s best and strengthening the college’s reputation for high-quality, accessible graduate education.

George Mason University earned top Virginia placements across business, nursing, and education, and leads in the region as a college destination for veterans and working professionals in the 2026 Best Online Programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report, released today.

George Mason University is Virginia’s leading public university for value, upward mobility, and salary outcomes, according to the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. This recognition underscores George Mason’s impact as one of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s most influential public universities, providing students with a high-quality education and preparing graduates for strong career opportunities.

The George Mason University School of Nursing BSN remains a top-rated program according to U.S News & World Reports. 

George Mason University stands out as Virginia’s No. 1 public university for upward mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2026, as Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” in the commonwealth, and as a top 50 public university nationally according to Forbes magazine.

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Virginia