Blackburn College vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Governors State University 11:1.

Blackburn College vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College ($12,756 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 15.5% lower than at Governors State University ($9,915 vs. $11,736).
• Blackburn College is 134.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $16,145 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.5% higher at Blackburn College than at Governors State University (about $16,145 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 69.8% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($19,456 vs. $11,455).

Blackburn College vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 60 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 16.8% at GSU.

Blackburn College vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College 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 $2,200 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($17,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($178 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 48%)

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.