Pensacola State vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pensacola State College in Pensacola, FL with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pensacola State College is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (9,491 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pensacola State College is located in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pensacola State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pensacola State College 25:1; Governors State University 11:1.

Pensacola State vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pensacola State or GSU? 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 Pensacola State College than GSU ($5,376 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 33.2% lower than at Pensacola State College ($11,736 vs. $17,556).
• Governors State University is 408.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pensacola State (about $9,643 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $2,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at GSU than at Pensacola State College (about $2,544 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Pensacola State College (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 76.3% larger than aid received by Pensacola State College students ($11,455 vs. $6,499).

Pensacola State vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pensacola State or GSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GSU and Pensacola State.

• Pensacola State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGovernors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pensacola State - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 1.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Pensacola State (2.54).

Pensacola State vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pensacola State and GSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Pensacola State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pensacola State College graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($3,500 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Pensacola State graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($36 vs. $178).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pensacola State students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 46%)

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.