GSU vs. Plymouth

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Plymouth based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 3,707 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Plymouth State University is in Plymouth, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Plymouth State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Plymouth State University 15:1.

GSU vs. Plymouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Plymouth? 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 Plymouth ($12,756 vs. $20,183).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 10.8% lower than at Plymouth State University ($11,736 vs. $13,158).
• Plymouth State University is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $2,622 more per year; $14,626.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113% higher at Plymouth than at Governors State University (about $13,562 more per year; $25,566.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plymouth State University than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Plymouth State University students ($11,455 vs. $11,039).

GSU vs. Plymouth Admissions comparison

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

• 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; Plymouth - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Plymouth Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Plymouth (3.08).
• Plymouth has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 13.7% at Plymouth.

GSU vs. Plymouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Plymouth? 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.

• Plymouth State University's six-year graduation rate is 59%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Plymouth graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than Plymouth graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Plymouth graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More Plymouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.