GSU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Channel Islands is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

GSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 California State University Channel Islands than GSU ($10,632 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 24.2% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($11,736 vs. $15,490).
• Governors State University is 67.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $4,845 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at CSU Channel Islands than at Governors State University (about $7,755 more per year; $19,759.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at California State University Channel Islands (81% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($12,528 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands 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; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

GSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and CSU Channel Islands? 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 California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $2,067 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($15,183 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($156 vs. $178).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.