GSU vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

GSU vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Parkside? 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 Wisconsin Parkside than GSU ($10,234 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 25.4% lower than at Governors State University ($8,750 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 45.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $3,734 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at Parkside than at Governors State University (about $5,425 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (81% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 50.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($11,455 vs. $7,598).

GSU vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Parkside? 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 Parkside 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 Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• Parkside has a higher acceptance rate (75.4%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

GSU vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and Parkside? 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 $1,600 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $5,715 lower median loan debt than Parkside graduates ($17,250 vs. $22,965).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Parkside graduates ($178 vs. $237).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.