GSU vs. SIUE

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

GSU SIUE
Location University Park, IL Edwardsville, IL
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,427 12,519
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #506
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu siue.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU SIUE
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $9,306
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $9,306
Room & Board $11,000 $10,272
Avg Net Price $9,833 $13,586
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $10,649
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

GSU SIUE
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 9,325
Admitted 1,072 9,093
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 97.5%
Enrolled % 29.5% 20.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.54
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 830/1060 930/1160
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

GSU SIUE
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

GSU SIUE
Graduation Rate - 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $21,430
Median Loan Payment $178 $221

Diversity

GSU SIUE
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 73%
% Black 38% 15%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

GSU SIUE
% In-State 95% 79%
% Out-of-State 3% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (12,519 students vs. 4,427 students)

GSU vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or SIUE?

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 23.9% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($9,306.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.4% higher at GSU than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($15,024.00 vs. $9,306.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than SIUE ($9,833 vs. $13,586)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are 7.1% lower than costs at Governors State University ($10,272 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 12.6% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,987 vs. $10,649)

GSU vs. SIUE Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 159 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming SIUE students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SIUE (3.54)
  • SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or SIUE? 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 SIUE and GSU.

  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn on average $4,400 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $4,180 lower median federal student loan debt than SIUE graduates. ($17,250 vs. $21,430)
  • GSU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than SIUE graduates. ($178 vs. $221)
  • More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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