DSC vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Governors State University 11:1.

DSC vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than GSU ($5,625 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 11.2% lower than at Governors State University ($10,419 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 259.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $8,668 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at GSU than at Dalton State College (about $1,348 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Governors State University (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 72.2% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($11,455 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGovernors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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 $10,100 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $2,363 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($14,887 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($153 vs. $178).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 42%)

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.