GSU vs. Western Illinois University

Governors State University and Western Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Governors State University
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: GSU (48.3% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 950 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: GSU. Average net price is $12,756 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Earnings 10 years out: GSU $42,600 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Governors State University Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
GSU more selective
GSU48.3%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
GSU830-1060
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
GSU $1,452 less
GSU$12,756
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
GSU $3,260 less
GSU$12,004
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
GSU $3,260 less
GSU$12,004
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +53 pts
GSU-
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$3,400
GSU$42,600
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • GSU 2,944
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • GSU 1,421
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • GSU 48.3%
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • GSU 16.8%
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GSU 950
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • GSU
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • GSU 4.0
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • GSU A/A+
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • GSU Extremely Easy
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • GSU Low
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • GSU 830-1060
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • GSU
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • GSU Test optional
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • GSU Apr 1, 2027
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • GSU $12,004
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • GSU $12,004
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • GSU $11,736
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • GSU $12,756
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • GSU $11,455
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • GSU 81%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • GSU -
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • GSU $42,600
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • GSU 48%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • GSU $17,250
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • GSU $178
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • GSU 11:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • GSU
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • GSU University Park, IL
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • GSU Rural Fringe
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • GSU 4,397
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • GSU Public 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • GSU
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 4,397 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.5% lower than at Governors State University ($11,320 vs. $11,736).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Western Illinois University than at Governors State University (about $3,260 more per year; $15,264 vs. $12,004).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Western Illinois University (81% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($14,994 vs. $11,455).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at GSU, test-free at Western Illinois University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at GSU average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.55 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($17,250 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($178 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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