GSU vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

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

Madison Area Technical College is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 4,397 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

GSU vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Madison 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 Madison College ($12,756 vs. $13,284).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 33.9% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,736 vs. $17,760).
• Governors State University is 141.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $7,027 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.5% higher at GSU than at Madison Area Technical College (about $4,749 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Madison Area Technical College (81% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 95.1% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($11,455 vs. $5,872).

GSU vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Madison College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Madison College and GSU.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

GSU vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Madison College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($13,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($134 vs. $178).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 46%)

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.