Alabama State vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Governors State University 11:1.

Alabama State vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or GSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Alabama State ($12,756 vs. $13,138).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 33.4% lower than at Governors State University ($7,816 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama State (about $756 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $11,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.1% higher at Alabama State than at Governors State University (about $7,572 more per year; $19,576.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alabama State University than at Governors State University (87% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($11,583 vs. $11,455).

Alabama State vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or GSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GSU and Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Governors State University (950) is 90 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 1.05 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 16.8% at GSU.

Alabama State vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and GSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $14,841 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($17,250 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $153 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($178 vs. $331).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.