Governors State University
Governors State University

Governors State University

University Park, IL, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Governors State University is a public, 4-year institution established south of Chicago in University Park, Illinois. GSU offers programs of study ranging from certificates in Digital Forensics to doctoral degrees in Occupational Therapy. The college also offers a number of Dual Degree programs in association with local community colleges, which guarantees admission to GSU for students who are planning to earn a bachelor’s degree upon completion of their associate’s degree studies. The GSU campus has many open facilities, such as the Center for Performing Arts, the Recreation and Fitness Center, and the Center for the Junior Year.

Acceptance Rate:
57%
Average Net Price:
$12,077
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
19
Average SAT Composite
955

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$12,077
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$11,320
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$11,320
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,360
Books and Supplies
$1000
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$8,282
$30k - $48k
$8,142
$48k - $75k
$8,885
$75k - $110k
$13,957
$110k+
$14,913
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
86%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
53%
Average Aid Per Year
$11,987
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
53%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,702
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,257

 

Students receiving state aid
84%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$6361
Students receiving federal aid
100%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,702
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$31,353,524
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$2,176,657

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
46%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,223
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$188
Students receiving federal loans
46%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,051
Average Other Loans Per Year
$4,981

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
57%
Acceptance Rate
1865
Students Applied
63%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1110
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is not checked
No
Test Optional
Item is not checked
No
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 15
Fall Regular DecisionApril 1
Application Fee
$25
Fee waivers available
Applications Accepted
Common Application
Common Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
95%
Out-Of-State Students
2%
1%
Submitting ACT
4%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 19
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 955
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
410
75th
520
Reading
25th
420
75th
540
4.0
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA

3.75+
2%
3.50 - 3.74
6%
3.25 - 3.49
8%
3.00 - 3.24
12%
2.50 - 2.99
45%
2.00 - 2.49
23%
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
1
Top 25%
3
Top 50%
19
Students Enrolled By Household Income

< $30k
73
$30k - $48k
33
$48k - $75k
19
$75k - $110k
17
$110k+
23

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 708-478-8478
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
4,427
Total Number of Undergrads
2,609
0
100
12%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
24%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
10:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Air Force
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
63%
20-39 Students
34%
40-99 Students
1%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
51

Faculty Overview

Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
37%
63%
Residency
In-State Students
95%
Out-Of-State Students
2%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
16
Countries Represented
6
Ethnicity
African American
40%
Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
Hispanic
19%
White
30%
Multiracial
3%
Unknown
3%
Percent of First Generation Students
43%
Student Organizations
79
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
Item is not checked
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
8%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
10%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Jaguar
School Colors
black, white, and orange
Varsity Athletics Association
NAIA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Intramural Sports
3
Sports Club
12

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is not checked
No

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$44,000
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,500
Loan Default Rate
6%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$188
I enjoy how small the classes are! Being in a class with 25 or less people is better than sitting in a class of 250+. Teachers know your name and really make themselves available to help when you need it. They give you their office hours and their contact. Walking around the school is a peaceful environment. There are some days when there are tables set up if you are ever interested in getting involved at the campus.
Briana from Richton Park, IL
I love going to Governors State University. I can go to school closer to home and at my own pace. Its cheaper than other schools with as good as, and many times BETTER teachers than other schools and the class sizes are great that I can get one-on-one help to an extent that ensures my education.
ME
The faculty/staff are very eager to help and want all returning adults to thrive/succeed.
Charles from Plainfield, IL
I would have to say in the almost two years that I have been here, the pace seems perfect. The science courses are a little more fast paced, but that is okay because it's college and we can't have everything handed to us anymore, right? The teachers are here almost everyday and are constantly reminding us to come whenever we need help. The books so far have been relevant to the course which is a shock to me because I have had a lot of courses in high school that were terrible. I've kept my GPA high and hope to continue to do so.
Jessica from Oak Lawn, IL
Governors State University has the cheapest tuition of any 4 year university in the entire state of Illinois. It is literally in the middle of a cornfield, however highly qualified instructors fill the walls of GSU.
Richard from Crestwood, IL
I am an Rn that would like to complete training for a BSN degree. I am very determined to complete the program.I am very focused and I never give up easily.
Joan from Hazelcrest, IL
I will rate GSU on following guidelines at the top, there is no going off the beaten path. Outstanding when it comes to degree selections. Maintenance of the facility is superb.
Tracey from Markham, IL
I believe that Governors State University is a great school. They have great professors. The counselors are great and are always available when you need help with financial needs and career planing.
Kyndria from Chicago, IL
GSU has great academic resources in the library including tutoring and essay writing skills.
GSU advisers are very helpful and always willing to make time to complete your plan of study.
GSU has a friendly and open campus that provides a comfortable learning environment.
Rachael from Merrillville, IN