George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing Achieves Record Enrollment
Peaking at an all-time high of 40,000 students, George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia and nearly one-third of those students are enrolled in the College of Engineering and Computing.
Our strong academic programs in CEC are recognized worldwide; we will enroll more than 3,000 students in CEC graduate studies in 2023 and nearly 8,000 undergraduates. As the plans for an expanded presence at Mason Square take shape, 350 CEC students are taking classes in Arlington. The course offerings at Mason Square will be from an array of departments and programs.
“This record enrollment demonstrates the continued value and relevance of engineering and computing and offers a testament to CEC’s commitment to preparing students for the workforce of the future,” said Dean Ken Ball. The college’s growth has led to a ranking of #82 by U.S. News & World Report and its NSF research funding stands at #56 among public universities. This year its research awards also hit a record high of $116M.
As the university ramps up its presence in Arlington at Mason Square, the College will expand its footprint with a new data visualization lab and collaborative spaces in Van Metre Hall. Construction continues on Mason Square’s newest building, Fuse, which is scheduled to “top out” in November.
Fuse will be home to Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation, and laboratories to support research in robotics, cybersecurity, AI, human-machine partnerships, quantum, digital arts, peace engineering, and the intersection of public policy and law with digital innovation. Fuse will also house new classrooms and learning labs to support the additional CEC students who will study at Mason Square, as well as space for collaboration with industry, government partners, and entrepreneurs.
Further south at the SciTech Campus the Life Sciences and Engineering Building will include labs for mechanical engineering, soft tissue engineering, and robotics. Currently, our SciTech Campus is the site for cutting-edge research in biofilm nanotechnology, used in medical applications.
Our faculty research teams receive millions of dollars of grant funding from institutions like the National Science Foundation, the U.S. military, and the National Institute of Health, for their innovative work in everything from apps, to bruise imaging, making the world a better place through the feats of engineering and computing at all levels.