Illinois State vs Governors State
Illinois State University and Governors State University, both esteemed public universities in Illinois, offer distinct educational experiences. Illinois State, nestled in the vibrant city of Normal, boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body from various backgrounds. Its strengths lie in programs like Elementary Education, Psychology, and Business, while Governors State, located in University Park, excels in fields such as Criminal Justice, Public Administration, and Nursing. With a smaller student body, Governors State fosters a close-knit community, while Illinois State's larger size provides a bustling campus life. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Governors State University |
![]() Illinois State University |
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Overview |
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Location | University Park, Illinois | Normal, Illinois |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 48.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.1% | 91.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 830 - 1060 | 1000 - 1200 |
ACT range | 16 - 22 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | 51.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,168 | 11,913 |
Total number of admissions given out | 608 | 10,905 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 194 | 3,374 |
Yield rate | 31.9% | 30.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,746
Out of state:
$33,258
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In state:
$31,811
Out of state:
$43,335
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Average net price | $9,943 | $21,033 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,512
Out of state:
$15,024
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In state:
$11,524
Out of state:
$23,048
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,729
Meal plan:
$3,000
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Room/dormitory:
$5,494
Meal plan:
$4,652
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
88.0%
Average amount $10,791 |
91.0%
Average amount $10,848 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,514 |
46.0%
Average amount $5,065 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $5,587 |
8.0%
Average amount $14,532 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,709
Men 36.5% Women 63.5% |
17,674
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
Graduate students |
1,686
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
2,559
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 5.2% | 4.2% |
International students | 7.3% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 272 | 5,560 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Indiana Florida Michigan Ohio | Illinois Missouri Wisconsin Michigan Iowa |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 15.8% | 67.3% |
Dropout rate | 37.4% | 32.0% |
Transferred out | 43.8% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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