GSU vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

GSU vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or AQ? 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 AQ ($12,756 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 0.5% lower than at Governors State University ($11,680 vs. $11,736).
• Aquinas College is 235% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $28,214 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 235% higher at AQ than at Governors State University (about $28,214 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 192.8% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($33,535 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 80 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 11.8% at AQ.

GSU vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and AQ? 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 $2,600 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($17,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($178 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.