GSU vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Governors State University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or South Carolina State 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. South Carolina State University comparison
Governors State University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
South Carolina State University
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Overview

GSU South Carolina State University
Location University Park, IL Orangeburg, SC
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 4,337 3,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $7,872 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $7,872 $20,218
Room & Board $11,360 $9,000
Avg Net Price $10,833 $17,928
Avg Grant Aid $11,315 $12,130
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 94%

Admission

GSU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 9,830
Admitted - 8,034
Acceptance Rate 81.7%
Enrolled % 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.17
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/19
SAT Range 830/1060 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

GSU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

GSU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate - 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $178 $343

Diversity

GSU South Carolina State University
% Men 15% 3%
% Women 27% 6%
Racial Diversity Very High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 36% 2%
% Black 38% 96%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 9% 0%

Students

GSU South Carolina State University
% In-State 95% 73%
% Out-of-State 3% 26%

Campus

GSU South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (4,337 students vs. 3,041 students)

GSU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or South Carolina State University?

  • South Carolina State University is 21% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($9,528.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 156.8% higher at South Carolina State University than Governors State University ($20,218.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than South Carolina State University ($10,833 vs. $17,928)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 26.2% lower than costs at Governors State University ($9,000 vs. $11,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than Governors State University (94% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 7.2% larger than aid received Governors State University ($12,130 vs. $11,315)

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

  • The average SAT score at Governors State University (911) is 151 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming GSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.83 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)

GSU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and GSU.

  • Graduates from Governors State University earn on average $11,600 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $31,000)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $15,955 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $33,205)
  • GSU graduates are paying $165 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($178 vs. $343)
  • More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 27%)

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