GSU vs. WKU

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

Governors State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: GSU (48.3% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 950 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,756 at GSU vs $12,548 at WKU. GSU in-state tuition is about $352 more per year.
  • Earnings 10 years out: GSU $42,600 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Governors State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
GSU more selective
GSU48.3%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
GSU higher
GSU830-1060
WKU840-1050
Average net price
About even
GSU$12,756
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $352 less
GSU$12,004
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
GSU $14,996 less
GSU$12,004
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +50 pts
GSU-
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
GSU +$5,500
GSU$42,600
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • GSU 2,944
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • GSU 1,421
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • GSU 48.3%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • GSU 16.8%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GSU 950
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • GSU
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • GSU 4.0
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • GSU A/A+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • GSU Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • GSU Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • GSU 830-1060
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • GSU
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • GSU Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • GSU Apr 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • GSU $12,004
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • GSU $12,004
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • GSU $11,736
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • GSU $12,756
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • GSU $11,455
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • GSU 81%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • GSU -
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • GSU $42,600
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • GSU 48%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • GSU $17,250
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • GSU $178
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • GSU 11:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • GSU
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • GSU University Park, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • GSU Rural Fringe
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • GSU 4,397
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • GSU Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • GSU
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 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 Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 6.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,736 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 124.9% higher at WKU than at Governors State University (about $14,996 more per year; $27,000 vs. $12,004).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Governors State University (99% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,455 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both GSU and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at GSU average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.58 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($17,250 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($178 vs. $250).
  • More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (48% vs. 47%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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