Santa Fe College vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Fe College is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (12,758 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Fe College 18:1; Governors State University 11:1.

Santa Fe College vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Santa Fe College 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 Santa Fe College than GSU ($11,903 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Fe College are 11.7% lower than at Governors State University ($10,367 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 368.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $9,441 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at GSU than at Santa Fe College (about $2,815 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Santa Fe College (81% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 340.2% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($11,455 vs. $2,602).

Santa Fe College vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Santa Fe College 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 Santa Fe College.

• Santa Fe 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: Santa Fe College - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.

Santa Fe College vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Santa Fe College 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 $5,100 more per year than Santa Fe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have a $6,225 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($11,025 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($113 vs. $178).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Santa Fe College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 34%)

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.