GSU vs. SAU

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

 GSU SAU
Location University Park, IL Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,427 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU SAU
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $31,020
Room & Board $11,000 $10,652
Avg Net Price $9,833 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 GSU SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 2,312
Admitted 1,072 1,094
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 47.3%
Enrolled % 29.5% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.61
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 830/1060 970/1135
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 SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 GSU SAU
Graduation Rate - 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $178 $248

Diversity

 GSU SAU
% Men 36% 23%
% Women 64% 77%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 77%
% Black 38% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 5%

Students

 GSU SAU
% In-State 95% 83%
% Out-of-State 3% 13%

Campus

 GSU SAU
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 SAU based on total student enrollment (4,427 students vs. 2,396 students)

GSU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 312.9% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 106.5% higher at SAU than Governors State University ($31,020.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than SAU ($9,833 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 3.3% lower than costs at Governors State University ($10,652 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 72.5% larger than aid received Governors State University ($20,677 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 162 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SAU (3.61)
  • GSU has a higher acceptance rate (57.5%) than SAU (47.3%)

GSU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Graduates of Governors State University and SAU have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($42,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $6,793 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($17,250 vs. $24,043)
  • GSU graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($178 vs. $248)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 48%)

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