GSU vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (10,049 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

GSU vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire ($12,756 vs. $15,151).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 23.5% lower than at Governors State University ($8,978 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $2,362 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.2% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Governors State University (about $7,224 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (81% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 102.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($11,455 vs. $5,663).

GSU vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UW-Eau Claire (3.59).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

GSU vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and UW-Eau Claire? 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($178 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.