FSW vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida SouthWestern 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: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Governors State University 11:1.

FSW vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 Florida SouthWestern State College than GSU ($8,356 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 4.7% lower than at Governors State University ($11,185 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 253% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $8,603 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at FSW than at Governors State University (about $975 more per year; $12,979.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 92.9% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($11,455 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern 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: FSW - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.94 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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 $5,200 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($93 vs. $178).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 43%)

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.