GSU vs. Clarke University

Should I go to Governors State University or Clarke University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or Clarke University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Governors State University vs. Clarke University comparison
Governors State University Clarke University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 GSU Clarke University
Location University Park, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 4,337 1,025
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #395
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu clarke.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU Clarke University
Tuition (In State) $7,872 $38,400
Tuition (Out of State) $7,872 $38,400
Room & Board $11,360 $11,000
Avg Net Price $10,833 $25,692
Avg Grant Aid $11,315 $27,219
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 100%

Admission

 GSU Clarke University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 3,087
Admitted - 2,104
Acceptance Rate 68.2%
Enrolled % 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.36
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/26
SAT Range 830/1060 890/1045
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 GSU Clarke University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

 GSU Clarke University
Graduation Rate - 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $42,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $178 $268

Diversity

 GSU Clarke University
% Men 15% 5%
% Women 27% 10%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 85%
% Black 38% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

 GSU Clarke University
% In-State 95% 30%
% Out-of-State 3% 60%

Campus

 GSU Clarke University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than Clarke University based on total student enrollment (4,337 students vs. 1,025 students)

GSU vs. Clarke University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Clarke University?

  • Clarke University is 387.8% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($38,400.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 387.8% higher at Clarke University than Governors State University ($38,400.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Clarke University ($10,833 vs. $25,692)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarke University are 3.3% lower than costs at Governors State University ($11,000 vs. $11,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University than Governors State University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 140.6% larger than aid received Governors State University ($27,219 vs. $11,315)

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Clarke University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Clarke University or GSU .

  • The average SAT score at Clarke University (1045) is 134 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Clarke University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Clarke University (3.36)

GSU vs. Clarke University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or Clarke University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Clarke University and GSU.

  • Graduates from Clarke University earn on average $200 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($42,800 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $8,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarke University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $26,000)
  • GSU graduates are paying $90 less per month on federal student loans than Clarke University graduates. ($178 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/