Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsPublic
Governors State University
6-yr Graduation
22%
-32.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Total enrollment
4,397
peer median 13,906
Avg net price
$12,329
-$1.5k vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Use this data
About
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.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Applied
2,944
2,944 candidates competed
Admitted
1,421
48.3% acceptance rate
Enrolled
239
16.8% yield
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Overall completion
22%-32.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Overall completion
22%-32.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
4-year graduation
12%
4-year graduation
12%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
21%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
21%
Full-time retention
56%
Full-time retention
56%
Pell equity
12.1pp gap
Pell recipients
19%30 of 154
Non-Pell (all)
31%14 of 45
Subsidized loan, no Pell
18%3 of 17
No Federal Aid
39%11 of 28
Non-Pell students graduate at a 12.1-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 109 Title IV programs, 21 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 3 fail. 85 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Total programs
109
Passing
21
19.3% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
3
2.8% of portfolio
Fail rate
2.8%
+2.2pp vs 0.6% national
Pass / fail distribution
109programs
- Passing21 · 19.3%
- No Data85 · 78.0%
- Failing3 · 2.8%
Severity spectrum
Critical
0
Severe
3
Recoverable
0
At Risk
0
Watch
1
Safe
20
No data
85
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Program
Typical
Benchmark
EP gap
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$56,452
$61,854
National Same-Field BA Median
-8.7%
−$5,402
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
-8.7%
$56,452 vs $61,854
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$57,823
$61,854
National Same-Field BA Median
-6.5%
−$4,031
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
-6.5%
$57,823 vs $61,854
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$58,036
$61,854
National Same-Field BA Median
-6.2%
−$3,818
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
-6.2%
$58,036 vs $61,854
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$76,515
$63,250
Same-State BA Median
+21.0%
+$13,265
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
+21.0%
$76,515 vs $63,250
Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's Degree · Psychology
$63,633
$48,653
National Same-Field BA Median
+30.8%
+$14,980
Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's Degree · Psychology
+30.8%
$63,633 vs $48,653
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$46,895
$34,808
Same-State HS Median
+34.7%
+$12,087
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
+34.7%
$46,895 vs $34,808
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$47,048
$34,808
Same-State HS Median
+35.2%
+$12,240
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
+35.2%
$47,048 vs $34,808
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$62,482
$46,158
National Same-Field BA Median
+35.4%
+$16,324
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
+35.4%
$62,482 vs $46,158
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Program
Median debt
Median earnings
Debt burden
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$72,051
$58,036
124%
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$72,051 debt · $58,036 earn
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$71,625
$57,823
124%
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$71,625 debt · $57,823 earn
Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's Degree · Psychology
$53,000
$63,633
83%
Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's Degree · Psychology
$53,000 debt · $63,633 earn
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$45,333
$56,452
80%
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$45,333 debt · $56,452 earn
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$41,000
$62,482
66%
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$41,000 debt · $62,482 earn
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$45,932
$76,515
60%
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$45,932 debt · $76,515 earn
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$23,450
$46,895
50%
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$23,450 debt · $46,895 earn
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$25,000
$50,703
49%
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$25,000 debt · $50,703 earn
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor
Higher Learning Commission
Accredited since 1975Next review Aug 2030
Programmatic accreditations · 8
Action history · 12
- Feb 2024Renewal of AccreditationAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology · Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) - Graduate degree programs
- Oct 2023Accreditation Reaffirmed: Probation RemovedAmerican Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education · Physical Therapy (PT) - Professional programs for the physical therapist
- Apr 2023Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: ProbationAmerican Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education · Physical Therapy (PT) - Professional programs for the physical therapist
- Apr 2023Removal of Show Cause StatusAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. — May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission · Nursing (MNUR) - Master's program
- Nov 2021Renewal of AccreditationAmerican Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education · Physical Therapy (PT) - Professional programs for the physical therapist
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Aid exceeds costFamily pays
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Avg net price
$12,329
-$1,539vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs median $13,868
Federal loans
38.5%
In-state tuition
$12,004
Out-of-state
$12,004
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 1,755 students received $9.3M in Pell grants, alongside $22.9M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients
1,755
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$9.3M
$9,301,785 total
Direct Loans
$22.9M
2,806 loan awards
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
2k’20
2k’21
2k’22
2k’23
2k’24
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Subsidized$3.8M
987 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$3.8M
905 loan awards
Unsubsidized · Grad$12.0M
712 loan awards
Parent PLUS$387K
32 loan awards
Grad PLUS$2.9M
170 loan awards
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 1,599 borrowers who entered repayment, 41 (2.5%) defaulted within three years — above the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate
2.5%
+0.2pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
1,599
Defaulted
41
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard
Default rate vs national, by cohort
2016
6.3%-3.0
2017
7.0%-2.2
2018
6.2%-0.8
2019
2.5%+0.2
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Governors State
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Distinct CIP programs68
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered
Top program families by completions
1,181 total completions
01Computer Sciences
24921.1%
01Computer Sciences
24921.1%
02Business
23219.6%
02Business
23219.6%
03Health Professions
22318.9%
03Health Professions
22318.9%
04Psychology
16313.8%
04Psychology
16313.8%
05Education
1109.3%
05Education
1109.3%
06Liberal Arts
595.0%
06Liberal Arts
595.0%
07Public Admin
544.6%
07Public Admin
544.6%
08Security/Protective
463.9%
08Security/Protective
463.9%
09Visual/Performing Arts
231.9%
09Visual/Performing Arts
231.9%
10Communication
221.9%
10Communication
221.9%
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Fall total
4,397
12-mo unduplicated
5,281
Undergraduate
3,114
Graduate
2,167
Gender split
Men
36%1,885
Women
64%3,396
Race / ethnicity composition
Black
40.6%
White
28.0%
Hispanic
19.9%
Two or more
4.2%
Unknown
2.8%
Non-resident
2.2%
Asian
2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.0%
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Athletes
289
143 M · 146 W
Women athletes
50.5%
Athletic aid
$1.7M
Total student aid
Budget
$4.3M
Total expenses
Men vs women · spending splits
Athletic student aid
$898K
$799K
Recruiting expense
$0
$0
Head-coach salaries
$48K
$32K
Men Women
Sport-by-sport · 8
Sport
Men
Women
Expenses
Track and Field (Outdoor)
26
31
$260,637
Track and Field (Outdoor)
26 M · 31 W
Soccer
38
18
$1,163,646
Soccer
38 M · 18 W
Track and Field (Indoor)
25
30
$140,671
Track and Field (Indoor)
25 M · 30 W
Cross Country
25
25
$402,222
Cross Country
25 M · 25 W
Volleyball
15
19
$604,562
Volleyball
15 M · 19 W
Basketball
15
11
$715,656
Basketball
15 M · 11 W
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
0.23
1 offenses · 4,337 students
3-year trend
0.912 yrs ago0.001 yr ago0.23Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
5
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
1
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
0
Criminal offenses by type
Motor vehicle theft
1
By location
1total
- On campus1
VAWA offenses
0
Domestic violence
0
Dating violence
0
Stalking
0 total under the Violence Against Women Act.
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons10
Drugs019
Liquor08
Residence-hall fires
No residence-hall fires reported.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Student-to-faculty
11.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
251
Governors State vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Governors State selected for federal comparison reporting.
This institutionPeer median
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectGovernors State University | 22% | — | 4,397 | $12,329 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| 39% | 96.4% | 10,439 | $9,735 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 53% | 87.8% | 9,727 | $16,383 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 55% | 95.1% | 16,237 | $10,229 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 54% | 58.4% | 14,390 | $3,103 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 31% | 98.8% | 18,453 | $15,327 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 65% | 87.9% | 23,375 | $15,566 | R2 Research | |
| 38% | 78.7% | 3,187 | $13,868 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 52% | 90.5% | 8,137 | $15,563 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 69% | 72.4% | 13,906 | $16,467 | R1 Research | |
| 58% | 55.6% | 8,104 | $9,492 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 57% | 62.7% | 14,736 | $15,071 | R2 Research | |
| 65% | 53.2% | 16,154 | $10,154 | R2 Research | |
| Peer group median | 54% | 83.3% | 13,906 | $13,868 |
Institutions like Governors State
Explore the federal data for institutions in Governors State's comparison group.
- Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsTennessee
Austin Peay State University
Grad rate39%Admit rate96.4%Enrollment10,439Net price$9,735View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMassachusetts
Bridgewater State University
Grad rate53%Admit rate87.8%Enrollment9,727Net price$16,383View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsCalifornia
California State University-San Marcos
Grad rate55%Admit rate95.1%Enrollment16,237Net price$10,229View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew York
CUNY Brooklyn College
Grad rate54%Admit rate58.4%Enrollment14,390Net price$3,103View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsColorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Grad rate31%Admit rate98.8%Enrollment18,453Net price$15,327View data - R2 ResearchNew Jersey
Montclair State University
Grad rate65%Admit rate87.9%Enrollment23,375Net price$15,566View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMaryland
University of Baltimore
Grad rate38%Admit rate78.7%Enrollment3,187Net price$13,868View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalTexas
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Grad rate52%Admit rate90.5%Enrollment8,137Net price$15,563View data - R1 ResearchMaryland
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Grad rate69%Admit rate72.4%Enrollment13,906Net price$16,467View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMichigan
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Grad rate58%Admit rate55.6%Enrollment8,104Net price$9,492View data - R2 ResearchMissouri
University of Missouri-St Louis
Grad rate57%Admit rate62.7%Enrollment14,736Net price$15,071View data - R2 ResearchFlorida
University of North Florida
Grad rate65%Admit rate53.2%Enrollment16,154Net price$10,154View data
Governors State Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
Office
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Email
oir [at] govst.edu
Phone
708-534-5000
Address
1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484-0975
The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness at Governors State University is the official source for data regarding GSU, supporting administrative planning and decision-making by providing accurate and timely data.
Visit IR office pageTeam
4 members
- Dr. Robert StanleyAssistant Vice President
- Erin GlimInstitutional Research Data Coordinator
- Jessica HaynesInstitutional Research Data Coordinator
- Chanel Kennedy-BertrandData Management Technical Associate
Common Data Set
Governors State's own annual Common Data Set: the most detailed self-reported reference for selectivity, cost, outcomes, and the student body.
Source publications
Reports & documents (5)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- Data dictionaryInstitutional Research and Effectiveness | Governors State University2026The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (IRE) at Governors State University supports administrative planning and decision-making by providing accurate and timely data and reports, administering surveys, and conducting institutional self-studies. The office manages data for internal use and external reporting, including national surveys and feedback reports, and is involved in furthering the institution's mission through data management, analytics, and the administration of campus research.govst.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookGovernors State University Fast Facts2024This page from Governors State University provides 'Fast Facts' about the institution, compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. It offers PDF documents for several years, with the most recent being the Fall 2024 report. The archive includes reports from multiple previous years back to 2012. This resource aims to present concise information on various institutional metrics, although specific metrics are not listed on the page.opus.govst.edu
- GlossaryInstitutional Research and Effectiveness GlossaryThe Institutional Research and Effectiveness page at Governors State University provides detailed functions and resources related to data management, analytics, and external reporting for university planning and decision-making. It manages institutional surveys, conducts research, and provides comprehensive reports such as the Common Data Set and IPEDS Data Feedback Report. It also outlines resources like the Student Achievement Measure Project (SAM) and College Navigator, aiding in tracking student progress and offering a wide array of institutional data for both internal analysis and external communication.govst.edu
- Strategic planBetter Together - Institutional Strategic Framework (ISF) 20302024Governors State University's 'Better Together' Strategic Framework aims to leverage the power of collaboration to further student success over the next five years. It is centered around four strategic pillars addressing student impact, community engagement, communication, and academic excellence. The university focuses on metrics including KPIs and community partnerships to ensure these goals are implemented efficiently and effectively.govst.edu
Grants & funding (2)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
Notable alumni of Governors State (24)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Abiola AjimobiPolitics
- Akinsanya Sunny Ajose
- Clinton Bristow Jr.Education
- DuShon Monique BrownArts
- Jane Cleland-HuangComputer Science
- Will Davis (Illinois politician)Politics
- Aldo DeAngelisPolitics
- Jason ErvinPolitics
- Thomas Fuentes
- Susan Sadlowski GarzaPolitics
- Frank Giglio
- Debbie HalvorsonPolitics
Showing 1–12 of 24
1 / 2
Frequently asked questions about Governors State University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Governors State.
What is the graduation rate at Governors State University?
Governors State University reports a 6-year graduation rate of 22% per the latest IPEDS.
How many students attend Governors State University?
Governors State University reports a total enrollment of 4,397 students per the latest IPEDS.
What is the average net price at Governors State University?
The average net price at Governors State University is $12,329 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.
What is the yield rate at Governors State University?
Governors State University's yield rate is 16.8%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.
Where is Governors State University located?
Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois 60484.
Who runs Institutional Research at Governors State University?
Governors State University's IR work is done by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
IPEDS2025 provisional data (Fall 2025–26 release, July 28, 2026)
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
Federal Pell Grant volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursements by institution and award year.
Federal student loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Federal Direct Loan recipient counts and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.
Last reviewed July 2026All data sources & release dates →
Have a question this page can’t answer?
Ask Clema anything about Governors State University and its peers — plain language in, cited answers out, in minutes instead of days.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card