GSU vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 4,397 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

GSU vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or VSU? 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 VSU ($12,756 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 12.1% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,736 vs. $13,355).
• Governors State University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $1,961 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at VSU than at Governors State University (about $10,646 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Governors State University (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($12,447 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or VSU? 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 VSU and GSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 10 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Governors State University 830/1060; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 1.15 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 14.3% at VSU.

GSU vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and VSU? 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.

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate is 40%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($178 vs. $305).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 28%)

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.