GSU vs. University of St Francis

Deciding between Governors State University and University of St Francis? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of St Francis

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • GSU University Park, IL
  • University of St Francis Joliet, IL
  • Setting
  • GSU Rural Fringe
  • University of St Francis Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • GSU 4,397
  • University of St Francis 3,074
  • Type
  • GSU Public 4 Year
  • University of St Francis Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis #355
  • Religious Affiliation
  • GSU -
  • University of St Francis Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • GSU Non-profit
  • University of St Francis Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • GSU $12,004
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • GSU $12,004
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Room & Board
  • GSU $11,736
  • University of St Francis $11,980
  • Average Net Price
  • GSU $12,756
  • University of St Francis $14,045
  • Average Grant Aid
  • GSU $11,455
  • University of St Francis $31,998
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • GSU 81%
  • University of St Francis 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • GSU 2,944
  • University of St Francis 2,250
  • Admitted
  • GSU 1,421
  • University of St Francis 1,469
  • Acceptance Rate
  • GSU 48.3%
  • University of St Francis 65.3%
  • Enrolled
  • GSU 16.8%
  • University of St Francis 14.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GSU 950
  • University of St Francis 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • GSU 4.0
  • University of St Francis 3.47
  • Typical High School Grades
  • GSU A/A+
  • University of St Francis B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • GSU Extremely Easy
  • University of St Francis Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • GSU Low
  • University of St Francis Low
  • ACT Range
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis 20/32
  • SAT Range
  • GSU 830/1060
  • University of St Francis 1030/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • GSU Test optional
  • University of St Francis Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • GSU Apr 1, 2027
  • University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • GSU 11:1
  • University of St Francis 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • GSU -
  • University of St Francis 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • GSU $42,600
  • University of St Francis $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • GSU 48%
  • University of St Francis 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • GSU $17,250
  • University of St Francis $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • GSU $178
  • University of St Francis $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • GSU 36%
  • University of St Francis 27%
  • % Women
  • GSU 64%
  • University of St Francis 73%
  • Racial Diversity
  • GSU High
  • University of St Francis Medium
  • HBCU
  • GSU No
  • University of St Francis No
  • % White
  • GSU 36%
  • University of St Francis 67%
  • % Asian
  • GSU 1%
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • % Black
  • GSU 38%
  • University of St Francis 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • GSU 11%
  • University of St Francis 16%
  • % Native American
  • GSU 0%
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • GSU 0%
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • GSU 2%
  • University of St Francis 3%
  • % International
  • GSU 1%
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • GSU 9%
  • University of St Francis 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • GSU 95%
  • University of St Francis 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • GSU 3%
  • University of St Francis 9%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • GSU Yes
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis No
  • Meal Plan
  • GSU Yes
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • GSU Yes
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • GSU
  • University of St Francis No

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 3,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of St Francis is in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting).
  • Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; University of St Francis 15:1.

GSU vs. University of St Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or University of St Francis? 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 University of St Francis ($12,756 vs. $14,045).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 2% lower than at University of St Francis ($11,736 vs. $11,980).
  • University of St Francis is 217.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $26,106 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $12,004.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 217.5% higher at University of St Francis than at Governors State University (about $26,106 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $12,004.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 179.3% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($31,998 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. University of St Francis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or University of St Francis? 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 St Francis and GSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 180 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 St Francis 1030/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of St Francis 20/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; University of St Francis - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of St Francis (3.47).
  • University of St Francis has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than GSU (48.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 14.2% at University of St Francis.

GSU vs. University of St Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and University of St Francis? 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 St Francis earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than University of St Francis graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Francis graduates ($178 vs. $258).
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.