GSU vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

GSU vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($12,756 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 6.7% lower than at Governors State University ($10,955 vs. $11,736).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 264.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $31,739 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 264.4% higher at MIAD than at Governors State University (about $31,739 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 127.1% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($26,015 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1040) is 90 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Governors State University 830/1060; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• MIAD has a higher acceptance rate (60.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

GSU vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and MIAD? 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.

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate is 57%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.