GSU vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

GSU vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or CUW? 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 CUW ($12,756 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 11.1% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($11,736 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 195.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $23,466 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.5% higher at CUW than at Governors State University (about $23,466 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Governors State University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 86.6% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($21,379 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. CUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or CUW? 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 CUW and GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CUW (3.52).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 14.1% at CUW.

GSU vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin 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, Governors State University graduates have a $6,675 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($178 vs. $247).
• More CUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.