University of the District of Columbia vs. GSU

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Governors State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • GSU University Park, IL
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • GSU Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • GSU 4,397
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • GSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • GSU -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • GSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • GSU $12,004
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • GSU $12,004
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • GSU $11,736
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • GSU $12,756
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • GSU $11,455
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • GSU 81%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • GSU 2,944
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • GSU 1,421
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • GSU 48.3%
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • GSU 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • GSU 4.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • GSU A/A+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • GSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • GSU 830/1060
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • GSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • GSU Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • GSU 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • GSU

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • GSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • GSU $42,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • GSU 48%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • GSU $17,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • GSU $178

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • GSU 36%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • GSU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • GSU High
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • GSU No
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • GSU 36%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • GSU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • GSU 38%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • GSU 11%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • GSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • GSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • GSU 2%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • GSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • GSU 9%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • GSU 95%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • GSU 3%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • GSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • GSU
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • GSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • GSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • GSU
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • GSU Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Governors State University is larger than University of the District of Columbia based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 4,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the District of Columbia 8:1; Governors State University 11:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia ($12,756 vs. $12,895).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 31.9% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($11,736 vs. $17,224).
  • Governors State University is 112% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $6,342 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at University of the District of Columbia than at Governors State University (about $510 more per year; $12,514.00 vs. $12,004.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 45.3% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($11,455 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

  • University of the District of Columbia 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: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027; GSU Apr 1, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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 $5,500 more per year than University of the District of Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($17,250 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($178 vs. $227).
  • More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 28%)

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.