GSU Admission Requirements

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GSU Admission Overview

GSU admission requirements are competitive. Last year GSU admitted 48.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) and SAT 830-1060. GSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

48.3%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Governors State University

Acceptance Rate

The GSU acceptance rate is 48.3%. Last year, 1,421 of 2,944 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into GSU and can you get accepted?

GSU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Governors State University typically attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

4.0

Typical High School Grades

A/A+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 4.0

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at GSU typically have around a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. GSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #1 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Governors State University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 11.8% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.8% Good
3.50 to 3.74 9.6% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 10.1% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 18.5% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.1% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 17.4% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.7% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

GSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

830-1060

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 420
  • Math 410
  • Composite 830
SAT 25th percentile scores for Governors State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 540
  • Math 520
  • Composite 1060
SAT 75th percentile scores for Governors State University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at GSU typically score around a 950 SAT (middle 50% 830–1060) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 31st percentile nationally. GSU ranks #49 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 830 to 1060

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

GSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 950 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Governors State University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1060+ Above 75th >64%
950 to 1060 Avg + 49%-64%
830 to 950 Avg - 33%-49%
Below 830 Below mid-50 <33%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for Governors State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for Governors State University

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the GSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Governors State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,527 1,417 2,944
Accepted 811 610 1,421
Acceptance Rate 53% 43% 48%
Enrolled 132 107 239
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 18% 17%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Governors State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Governors State University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

213

Applicants have 213 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Governors State University is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Governors State University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit
Dual Credit
Credit for Life Experiences

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

GSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 48.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (about an A/A+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (830-1060); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145336.

GPA calculator: Governors State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026