GSU vs. William Penn University

Should I go to Governors State University or William Penn University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or William Penn 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. William Penn University comparison
Governors State University William Penn University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 GSU William Penn University
Location University Park, IL Oskaloosa, IA
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 4,427 1,473
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #957
Religious Affiliation - Friends - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu wmpenn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU William Penn University
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $27,800
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $27,800
Room & Board $11,000 $7,528
Avg Net Price $9,833 $20,922
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $19,052
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 GSU William Penn University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 1,264
Admitted 1,072 729
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 57.7%
Enrolled % 29.5% 43.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.0
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 830/1060 850/1080
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 GSU William Penn University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (45%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 GSU William Penn University
Graduation Rate - 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $178 $248

Diversity

 GSU William Penn University
% Men 36% 50%
% Women 64% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 36% 61%
% Black 38% 18%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 9% 4%

Students

 GSU William Penn University
% In-State 95% 36%
% Out-of-State 3% 59%

Campus

 GSU William Penn University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than William Penn University based on total student enrollment (4,427 students vs. 1,473 students)

GSU vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or William Penn University?

  • William Penn University is 270.1% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($27,800.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85% higher at William Penn University than Governors State University ($27,800.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than William Penn University ($9,833 vs. $20,922)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 46.1% lower than costs at Governors State University ($7,528 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than William Penn University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 58.9% larger than aid received Governors State University ($19,052 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. William Penn University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at William Penn University (3.0)
  • William Penn University has a higher acceptance rate (57.7%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or William Penn 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 William Penn University and GSU.

  • Graduates from William Penn University earn on average $2,000 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $6,750 lower median federal student loan debt than William Penn University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $24,000)
  • GSU graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than William Penn University graduates. ($178 vs. $248)
  • More William Penn University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 48%)

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