GSU vs. AAC

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Art Academy of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 213 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Art Academy of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Art Academy of Cincinnati 9:1.

GSU vs. AAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or AAC? 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 AAC ($12,756 vs. $33,491).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 9.2% lower than at Governors State University ($10,660 vs. $11,736).
• Art Academy of Cincinnati is 244.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $29,371 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 244.7% higher at AAC than at Governors State University (about $29,371 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 69.9% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($19,460 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. AAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or AAC? 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 AAC 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; AAC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; AAC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at AAC (3.1).
• GSU has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than AAC (34.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 11.4% at AAC.

GSU vs. AAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and AAC? 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 $12,200 more per year than AAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than AAC graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAC graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More AAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.