George Mason University

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $28.5K puts this master's program at the 41st percentile on cost — roughly 34% below the $42.9K average across 394 comparable listings. It runs on a full-time, part-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, along with programming experience and quantitative coursework such as calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.

About This Program

This stand-alone master's degree provides a comprehensive foundation in AI principles, preparing students to develop, implement, and optimize responsible AI-driven solutions for various industries. Coursework concentrates on AI Ethics/Policy and MLOps/AI Engineering. Most students complete it in about 1 year.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as AI Research Scientist, with reported salaries around $120,000.

Design and implement machine learning models for predictive analytics.

Estimated total tuition is $28.5K, below the $42.9K average for AI master's programs in our database and in the 41st percentile on cost at this level. That puts it in the mid-range on price among comparable programs.

It is one of 14 AI-related programs we track in Virginia, of which about 71% offer an online option. On price, it comes in higher than about 64% of the Virginia programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $32.8K.

Career Outcomes

George Mason University positions this master track for AI Research Scientist careers — typical offers cluster around $120,000. Its focus on AI Ethics/Policy and MLOps/AI Engineering maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 23% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Machine Learning Engineer
• 2. AI Research Scientist
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. AI Software Developer

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement machine learning models for predictive analytics
• Develop deep neural networks for complex data processing
• Apply natural language processing techniques to text and speech data
• Build AI systems adhering to ethical principles and bias mitigation

Curriculum Highlights

The 30-credit program requires core coursework in machine learning, deep learning, and planning, with thematic tracks in AI policy, scalable infrastructure, and use-inspired AI.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta.

Admissions

Admission to George Mason University's MS in Artificial Intelligence generally expects a bachelor's degree. The GRE is optional here — a growing norm among AI programs — so applicants can often lead with coursework, projects and recommendations instead. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions