EIU vs. GSU

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or Governors State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU or GSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Eastern Illinois University vs. Governors State University comparison
Eastern Illinois University Governors State University College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University
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Overview

EIU GSU
Location Charleston, IL University Park, IL
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 8,857 4,427
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #672
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu govst.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

EIU GSU
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $7,512
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $15,024
Room & Board $10,812 $11,000
Avg Net Price $13,380 $9,833
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $11,987
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

EIU GSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 1,865
Admitted 7,873 1,072
Acceptance Rate 68% 57.5%
Enrolled % 11.1% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 900/1120 830/1060
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

EIU GSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

EIU GSU
Graduation Rate 59% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $17,250
Median Loan Payment $244 $178

Diversity

EIU GSU
% Men 42% 36%
% Women 58% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 36%
% Black 19% 38%
% Hispanic 6% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

EIU GSU
% In-State 91% 95%
% Out-of-State 7% 3%

Campus

EIU GSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 4,427 students)

EIU vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or GSU?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 29.2% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.8% higher at GSU than Eastern Illinois University ($15,024.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than EIU ($9,833 vs. $13,380)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 1.7% lower than costs at Governors State University ($10,812 vs. $11,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University as Governors State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 1.8% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($11,987 vs. $11,773)

EIU vs. GSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or GSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GSU or EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Illinois University (1010) is 99 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming EIU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • EIU has a higher acceptance rate (68%) than GSU (57.5%)

EIU vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU or GSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between GSU and EIU.

  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $900 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $6,400 lower median federal student loan debt than EIU graduates. ($17,250 vs. $23,650)
  • GSU graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than EIU graduates. ($178 vs. $244)
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/