GSU vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to Governors State University or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or Northern Illinois is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest
Governors State University vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
Governors State University Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

GSU Northern Illinois
Location University Park, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Rural Fringe Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,427 15,649
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $9,790
Room & Board $11,000 $11,420
Avg Net Price $9,833 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

GSU Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 25,961
Admitted 1,072 18,348
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 70.7%
Enrolled % 29.5% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.3
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 830/1060 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

GSU Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

GSU Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate - 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $178 $246

Diversity

GSU Northern Illinois
% Men 36% 46%
% Women 64% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 36% 57%
% Black 38% 16%
% Hispanic 11% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

GSU Northern Illinois
% In-State 95% 93%
% Out-of-State 3% 5%

Campus

GSU Northern Illinois
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 4,427 students)

GSU vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Northern Illinois?

  • Northern Illinois University is 30.3% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($9,790.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.5% higher at GSU than Northern Illinois University ($15,024.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Northern Illinois ($9,833 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 3.8% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,000 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 4.7% larger than aid received Governors State University ($12,552 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Northern Illinois? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northern Illinois or GSU .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 118 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or Northern Illinois? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northern Illinois and GSU.

  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,000 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $6,609 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($17,250 vs. $23,859)
  • GSU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($178 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/