GSU vs. CCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than CCAD based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Columbus College of Art & Design is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbus College of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Columbus College of Art & Design 10:1.

GSU vs. CCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or CCAD? 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 CCAD ($12,756 vs. $31,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus College of Art & Design are 2.4% lower than at Governors State University ($11,450 vs. $11,736).
• Columbus College of Art & Design is 240.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $28,821 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.1% higher at CCAD than at Governors State University (about $28,821 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus College of Art & Design than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus College of Art & Design students is 100.8% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($23,000 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. CCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or CCAD? 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 CCAD 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; CCAD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• CCAD has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 32.1% at CCAD.

GSU vs. CCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and CCAD? 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 $4,500 more per year than CCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than CCAD graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCAD graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More CCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.