GSU vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Southern University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

GSU vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or TSU? 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 TSU ($12,756 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 8.3% lower than at Texas Southern University ($11,736 vs. $12,800).
• Governors State University is 30.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $2,831 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at TSU than at Governors State University (about $9,469 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Governors State University (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($11,455 vs. $9,823).

GSU vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or TSU? 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 TSU and GSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Governors State University (950) is 50 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 17.9% at TSU.

GSU vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and TSU? 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 Governors State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $12,108 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($178 vs. $303).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 22%)

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.