GSU vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

GSU vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Defiance College? 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 Defiance College ($12,756 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 6.9% lower than at Defiance College ($11,736 vs. $12,606).
• Defiance College is 144.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $17,316 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.3% higher at Defiance College than at Governors State University (about $17,316 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Defiance College than at Governors State University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 135.9% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($27,024 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Defiance College (990) is 40 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDefiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• GSU has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

GSU vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Defiance College? 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 Defiance College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 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 Defiance College graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More Defiance College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.