GSU vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

GSU vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or SIUE? 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 SIUE ($12,756 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 19% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,736 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $918 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at SIUE than at Governors State University (about $918 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at Governors State University (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($11,602 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or SIUE? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SIUE and GSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 120 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; SIUE May 1, 2027.
• 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 (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

GSU vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and SIUE? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $4,180 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.