GSU vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 979 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

GSU vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($12,756 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 6.6% lower than at The University of Olivet ($11,736 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 183.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $22,064 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183.8% higher at OC Comets than at Governors State University (about $22,064 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 143.2% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($27,858 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Olivet (1020) is 70 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; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresThe University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

GSU vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and OC Comets? 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.

• The University of Olivet's six-year graduation rate is 46%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More OC Comets graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.