GSU vs. Cleveland Institute of Music

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Cleveland Institute of Music is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1.

GSU vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music ($12,756 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 29.3% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,736 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 340.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $40,876 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 340.5% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Governors State University (about $40,876 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 172.3% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($31,191 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music 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; Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• GSU has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music.

GSU vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 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 Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.