GSU vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Dominican University in River Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Dominican University is in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Dominican University 12:1.

GSU vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Dominican? 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 Dominican ($12,756 vs. $13,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 7.7% lower than at Dominican University ($11,736 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 224.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $26,974 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 224.7% higher at Dominican than at Governors State University (about $26,974 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 168.5% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($30,756 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University (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; Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Dominican (3.74).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

GSU vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Dominican? 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 Dominican University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($178 vs. $258).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.