GSU vs. KY State

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Kentucky State University is in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Kentucky State University 10:1.

GSU vs. KY State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or KY State? 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 Kentucky State University than GSU ($9,397 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 26% lower than at Governors State University ($8,686 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $2,617 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at KY State than at Governors State University (about $1,654 more per year; $13,658.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at Governors State University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 10.8% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($11,455 vs. $10,340).

GSU vs. KY State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Governors State University (950) is 30 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Kentucky State University 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKentucky State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; KY State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 1.28 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 27% at KY State.

GSU vs. KY State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and KY State? 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 $11,600 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $11,750 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($17,250 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($178 vs. $299).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 24%)

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.