GSU vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (4,575 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

GSU vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Penn 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 Penn College ($12,756 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 8.4% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($11,736 vs. $12,818).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $6,236 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.4% higher at Penn College than at Governors State University (about $13,976 more per year; $25,980.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (81% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($11,455 vs. $8,964).

GSU vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

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

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Penn College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.95 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Penn College (3.05).

GSU vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Penn College? 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 Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Penn College graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn College graduates ($178 vs. $222).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.