GSU vs. University of Illinois Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (4,628 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Illinois Springfield is in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; University of Illinois Springfield 13:1.

GSU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or University of Illinois Springfield? 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 University of Illinois Springfield than GSU ($10,809 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 4.1% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($11,736 vs. $12,242).
• University of Illinois Springfield is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $248 more per year; $12,252.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.4% higher at University of Illinois Springfield than at Governors State University (about $10,013 more per year; $22,017.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Springfield than at Governors State University (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students is 28% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($14,666 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or University of Illinois Springfield? 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 University of Illinois Springfield and GSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Springfield (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; University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Illinois Springfield 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield.

GSU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and University of Illinois Springfield? 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 University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $1,543 lower median loan debt than University of Illinois Springfield graduates ($17,250 vs. $18,793).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Illinois Springfield graduates ($178 vs. $194).
• More University of Illinois Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.