GSU vs. Rockford University

Should I go to Governors State University or Rockford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or Rockford University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Governors State University vs. Rockford University comparison
Governors State University Rockford University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 GSU Rockford University
Location University Park, IL Rockford, IL
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 4,427 1,181
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #810
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu rockford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU Rockford University
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $34,750
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $34,750
Room & Board $11,000 $10,410
Avg Net Price $9,833 $25,047
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $21,056
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 GSU Rockford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 2,779
Admitted 1,072 1,526
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 54.9%
Enrolled % 29.5% 11%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.25
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 12/20
SAT Range 830/1060 840/1086
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 GSU Rockford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 GSU Rockford University
Graduation Rate - 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $178 $258

Diversity

 GSU Rockford University
% Men 36% 45%
% Women 64% 55%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 36% 67%
% Black 38% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 5%

Students

 GSU Rockford University
% In-State 95% 70%
% Out-of-State 3% 26%

Campus

 GSU Rockford University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than Rockford University based on total student enrollment (4,427 students vs. 1,181 students)

GSU vs. Rockford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Rockford University?

  • Rockford University is 362.6% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 131.3% higher at Rockford University than Governors State University ($34,750.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Rockford University ($9,833 vs. $25,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 5.7% lower than costs at Governors State University ($10,410 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Rockford University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 75.7% larger than aid received Governors State University ($21,056 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. Rockford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Rockford University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Rockford University or GSU .

  • The average SAT score at Rockford University (1007) is 96 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Rockford University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • GSU has a higher acceptance rate (57.5%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

GSU vs. Rockford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or Rockford University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Rockford University and GSU.

  • Graduates from Rockford University earn on average $2,000 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $7,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $25,000)
  • GSU graduates are paying $80 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($178 vs. $258)
  • More Rockford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/