GSU vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Alma College 14:1.

GSU vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Alma College? 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 Alma College ($12,756 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 17.2% lower than at Alma College ($11,736 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 312.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $37,548 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 312.8% higher at Alma College than at Governors State University (about $37,548 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 263.3% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($41,618 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Alma College? 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 Alma College and GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

GSU vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Alma College? 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 Alma College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.