GSU vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; William Woods University 16:1.

GSU vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or WWU? 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 WWU ($12,756 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 10.1% lower than at William Woods University ($11,736 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 152.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $18,336 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.7% higher at WWU than at Governors State University (about $18,336 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at Governors State University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 93.8% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($22,204 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. WWU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman GSU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at WWU (3.4).
• WWU has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 23.6% at WWU.

GSU vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU and WWU? 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.

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate is 50%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for GSU.
• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $4,187 lower median loan debt than WWU graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,437).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WWU graduates ($178 vs. $221).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.