GSU vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 4,397 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

GSU vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than GSU ($7,916 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 24.1% lower than at Governors State University ($8,907 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 38.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $3,329 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Purdue Northwest than at Governors State University (about $4,090 more per year; $16,094.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Northwest than at Governors State University (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 63.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($11,455 vs. $6,992).

GSU vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Purdue University Northwest (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; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresPurdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 0.81 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Purdue Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

GSU vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Purdue Northwest? 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 have median earnings of about $42,600 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Purdue Northwest.

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.