George Mason University is ranked fifth nationally as a best four-year college for adult learners, according to an analysis by Washington Monthly magazine.
The top 100 institutions were listed.
Data from the Department of Education and the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges were used in the analysis, the magazine said. Categories include ease of transfer, flexibility of programs, services for adult students, mean earnings of adult students 10 years after college entry, and loan repayment rate of adult students five years after entering repayment.
“The ranking reaffirms Mason’s longstanding commitment to provide accessible pathways to serve the needs of different students,” George Mason Provost S. David Wu said. “As one of Mason’s strategic initiatives, we strive to create online pathways for students who cannot attend class at our campus and to collaborate with Virginia community colleges and other institutions to facilitate affordable access.”
In May 2017, Mason and Old Dominion University launched the Online Virginia Network, a state-supported initiative that targets adult learners who have college credits but did not finish their degrees. The program helps those learners finish their degrees online.
Mason also maintains an Online Adult Student Information Service, which provides all relevant information for completing a degree at the university.
"There are so many adult learners, 25 and older, who want to complete an undergraduate degree or earn a master's degree or shift careers," said Michelle Marks, Mason's vice president for academic innovation and new ventures. "Mason is working hard to understand the unique needs of these students and craft the educational experiences they desire."
Mason also was ranked 106th of 303 national universities.