GSU vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

GSU vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or UW-Stout? 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-Stout ($12,756 vs. $15,673).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 23.2% lower than at Governors State University ($9,008 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Stout (about $1,303 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,701.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at UW-Stout than at Governors State University (about $7,261 more per year; $19,265.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at University of Wisconsin Stout (81% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 80.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($11,455 vs. $6,335).

GSU vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or UW-Stout? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UW-Stout and GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of Wisconsin Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• UW-Stout has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

GSU vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and UW-Stout? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Wisconsin Stout's six-year graduation rate is 53%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($178 vs. $263).
• More UW-Stout graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.