Mason Talking Points

Mason has Come a Long Way in a Short Time

In the past half-century, Mason has grown from a small satellite campus of the University of Virginia into the largest—and one of the most influential—public research universities in the state, located in the dynamic Washington, D.C., region.

Mason Research Earns National Recognition

Mason is a Tier-1 research university, the highest designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Joining this elite group of the nation’s top research universities is a signal to public and private industry that, more than ever, Mason is ripe for funding and partnerships.

Mason Values Diversity

Our students come from 130 countries and 50 states. Being one of the most diverse universities in the United States instills a global focus and enhances learning by leading to a more open exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Mason is Accessible

Mason is one of the few U.S. universities to have no marked disparity in graduation outcomes for students regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Mason Provides Value to Students

Mason graduates earn among the highest starting salaries in Virginia and 87 percent of graduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduation. These outcomes are among the reasons why Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Forbes have ranked Mason as a top 100 best value.

Mason Conducts Research of Consequence

The driving forces behind our research are to solve problems to make a significant difference in the world and to serve as an engine of innovation for the region and state. Some of our most notable research includes working with our clinical partners to advance personalized medicine; developing algorithms to secure cyberspace; researching strategies that can disrupt transnational crime and terrorism; exploring new approaches to diplomacy and foreign policy; using social science research to enhance public understanding of climate change; and studying digital technology trends among African American teens and their parents. Our faculty members have received some of academia’s highest honors, including twice winning the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Mason is a Partner in the Community

Mason and Northern Virginia have emerged together, working closely to build one of the most economically viable regions in the country. Our 200,000-plus alumni in the region work at the most influential private companies and public agencies. An estimated one-third of K-12 teachers and administrators in Northern Virginia hold a Mason degree. Companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, Northrop Grumman, Inova Health System, and Deloitte employ thousands of Mason graduates.