Governors State University — College Profile

About

Located in Chicago’s Southland, Governors State University is a regional public institution recognized for its accessible, career-focused degree paths, with standout academic programs in nursing, physical therapy, education, and business administration. The campus culture is diverse, supportive, and transfer-friendly, serving a dynamic mix of traditional undergraduates, adult learners, and graduate students who benefit from small class sizes and close faculty mentorship. A defining feature of GSU’s 750-acre prairie campus is the acclaimed Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, an expansive outdoor museum that weaves world-class public art directly into the daily student experience.

Wikipedia:Governors State University is a public university in University Park, Illinois, United States. The 750 acres (3.0 km2) campus is located 30 miles (48 km) south of Chicago, Illinois. GSU was founded in 1969. It is a public university offering degree programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. GSU has four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Health and Human Services.

Location

University Park, IL, 60484 · Suburb campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MDW · Chicago Midway

23 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$12,004$12,004

Housing & food (on campus)$11,736$11,736

Books & supplies$1,000$1,000

Cost of attendance$24,227$34,226

Average net price$12,329Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$12,004

Housing & food (on campus)$11,736

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$34,226

In-state: $24,227

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $12,329

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.govst.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Governors State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$10,954

Fees$4,696

Housing$13,476

Books & supplies$1,000

Personal expenses$2,000

Transportation$2,000

Total published by the school$34,226

Source: www.govst.edu · checked Sep 28, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$9,563

$30–48k

$10,933

$48–75k

$11,705

$75–110k

$16,741

$110k+

$22,076

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

21%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

12%

Back for yr 2

56%

Transferred

39%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

21% graduated · 45% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 33% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$45,435

10 yrs after entry$58,169

Debt

Median at graduation$18,618

Monthly payment$197

Middle 50% owe$6.3k–$24.3k

90th percentile$34,554

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

48%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

ACT midpoint

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Essay prompts

If Governors State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 37%Women 63%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

11 : 1

Pell grant

54%

First-gen

43%

Family income

$20,792

Independent

55%

Veterans

Age at entry

27.0

Part-time

32%

Race & ethnicity

White

28%

Hispanic

20%

Black

41%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NAIA Division I · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Bowling
Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Men's · Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$45,435

After 10 yrs

$58,169

Business Administration, Management and Operations96

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities89

Psychology, General84

Criminal Justice and Corrections50

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods44

Accounting and Related Services40

Computer and Information Sciences, General27

Computer Science25

Health and Medical Administrative Services25

Communication and Media Studies24

Public Health22

Social Work19

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services17

English Language and Literature, General13

Biology, General11

Fine and Studio Arts9

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$3M

Full-time faculty

51%

Faculty salary

$8,619/mo

Teaching spend

$13,036

per student

Federal loans

38%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Undergraduate profile