SCSU vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Governors State University 11:1.

SCSU vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 Governors State University than SCSU ($12,756 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 21.4% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($11,736 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $1,434 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.1% higher at SCSU than at Governors State University (about $15,374 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Southern Connecticut State University (81% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($11,455 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGovernors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 16.8% at GSU.

SCSU vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($178 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.