Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at George Mason University

George Mason's Management Sciences program delivers solid national performance but falls short of Virginia's competitive landscape. While graduates earn $68,049 in their first year—outperforming the national median by $6,000—this places them in just the 40th percentile among Virginia programs, where the state median reaches $77,877.

The debt picture offers reassurance with graduates carrying just $18,500 in loans, creating an excellent debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27. This low debt burden, combined with strong 23% earnings growth over four years, means graduates reach $83,986 by year four without the financial stress common in many programs. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these figures reliable.

For families prioritizing affordability and steady career growth, this program works well. However, parents should understand the Virginia context—UVA's program produces graduates earning $93,565 initially, nearly $25,000 more. George Mason's accessible admission standards (89% acceptance rate) mean your child can likely get in, but they'll be competing in a job market where other Virginia graduates command higher starting salaries. The program offers good value through low debt and solid growth, making it a reasonable choice for students who want quantitative business skills without excessive borrowing, even if it won't lead the pack in Virginia's competitive market.