GSU vs. Eastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Eastern Kentucky University is in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Eastern Kentucky University 17:1.

GSU vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Eastern? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than GSU ($12,279 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 4.3% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($11,736 vs. $12,268).
• Governors State University is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $1,684 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at Eastern than at Governors State University (about $9,226 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Governors State University (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($11,468 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Eastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Kentucky University (980) is 30 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Eastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 19.9% at Eastern.

GSU vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Eastern? 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 $4,700 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $6,445 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($178 vs. $245).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.