GSU vs. Western Illinois University

Should I go to Governors State University or Western Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or Western Illinois University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Governors State University vs. Western Illinois University comparison
Governors State University Western Illinois University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

GSU Western Illinois University
Location University Park, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 4,427 7,643
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $9,515
Room & Board $11,000 $10,500
Avg Net Price $9,833 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

GSU Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 9,219
Admitted 1,072 6,914
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 75%
Enrolled % 29.5% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.45
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 830/1060 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

GSU Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

GSU Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate - 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $178 $255

Diversity

GSU Western Illinois University
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 36% 62%
% Black 38% 19%
% Hispanic 11% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 9% 2%

Students

GSU Western Illinois University
% In-State 95% 89%
% Out-of-State 3% 10%

Campus

GSU Western Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 4,427 students)

GSU vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Western Illinois University?

  • Western Illinois University is 26.7% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.9% higher at GSU than Western Illinois University ($15,024.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Western Illinois University ($9,833 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.8% lower than costs at Governors State University ($10,500 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 30.4% larger than aid received Governors State University ($15,632 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Western Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Illinois University or GSU .

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 59 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or Western Illinois University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Western Illinois University and GSU.

  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,400 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $7,454 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $24,704)
  • GSU graduates are paying $77 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($178 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/