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University Park , IL
Governors State University (GSU) is a public university located in University Park, Illinois, about 35 miles south of downtown Chicago. Established in 1969, GSU is known for its commitment to providing accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population. The university offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various fields of study, including business, education, healthcare, liberal arts, and social sciences.
One of the unique aspects of GSU is its urban and rural studies program, which emphasizes the interconnection between urban and rural communities. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by both urban and rural areas, leading to a deeper understanding of issues such as economic development, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
GSU is also recognized for its strong community engagement and commitment to service. The university has established several partnerships with local organizations and businesses, providing students with opportunities for internships, research collaborations, and community service projects. Additionally, GSU hosts various events, lectures, and workshops that promote dialogue and critical thinking on important social, cultural, and economic issues.
Overall, Governors State University is a vibrant institution that values inclusivity, academic excellence, and civic engagement. With its diverse range of academic programs, strong community partnerships, and commitment to social responsibility, GSU strives to empower students to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Governors State University is a public four-year college located in University Park, IL. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 48%. The freshman retention rate at Governors State University is 55.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 22%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is April 1. Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Governors State University.
Quick Facts
2,573
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
22%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Here are the most important facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Governors State University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,421 in 2025. Governors State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant.
Test Scores
2% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 1% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 12-17 was 100.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.49. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is April 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Governors State University was 55.1% in 2025.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 22%.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Governors State University in 2025 was 4,399.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 2% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 2,573, 55 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 1,109 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,083 male and 1,665 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Governors State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 53, while the number of African American students was 1,032. 510 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 105 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 72 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Governors State University estimated tuition fees.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $10,740. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $10,740. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $21,480. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $4,616.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,740 | $4,616 | $15,356 |
| In-State | $10,740 | $4,616 | $15,356 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,000.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at Governors State University amounted to $12,982 a year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,740 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,982 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,722 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid at Governors State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 192 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $23,303.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 861 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Governors State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 912. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $8,364,300, and state $13,089,740.
$4,700
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
262 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 90 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $8,364,300 while the state aid is $94,110. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $686,364. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $247,910 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Governors State University was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 505 faculty members. This number included 185 male and 320 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Governors State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Governors State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Governors State University.
Its campus is 742 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
That includes sororities and fraternities.
Student Services
Governors State University offers a number of services crucial for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Governors State University.
All in all, campus life at Governors State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Governors State University.
Career Counselling
At Governors State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Governors State University is located in University Park, IL.
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Governors State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Governors State University is 48%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Governors State University is 55.1%.
Contact Information
Governors State University
1 University Parkway
University Park , IL
60484
708 534-5000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.