Governors State University combines exceptional educational access with earnings that significantly exceed expectations. As an Under-Resourced Institution serving predominantly transfer students, GSU delivers $20,336 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, creating strong value for working adults and underrepresented populations.
Strong earnings beyond expectations despite serving primarily transfer and non-traditional students
Well above average cost management and financial accessibility
The university's commitment to serving Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for underrepresented populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisGovernors State University delivers exceptional earnings beyond expectations while maintaining strong affordability. Graduates earn $20,336 more than predicted based on their academic and demographic profile, placing GSU at the 94.5th percentile nationally for this uplift measure.
Median earnings reach $58,169 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 66th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median by $8,053 annually. Earnings span from $37,592 at the 25th percentile to $84,427 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating varied career trajectories across programs.
Working adults and transfer students seeking flexible, career-focused education with strong economic mobility outcomes. Particularly well-suited for first-generation (42.6%) and Pell-eligible (52.4%) students who prioritize affordability over prestige.
Best fit for students willing to accept lower completion rates in exchange for exceptional access and earnings beyond expectations.
Governors State University operates with an open admission approach that prioritizes educational access over selective filtering. The university does not report traditional admission rate data, reflecting its commitment to serving transfer students and working adults who may not follow conventional college application timelines.
With 63.3% of enrolled students entering as transfers, GSU functions more as a completion-focused institution than a traditional four-year college with freshman admission cycles. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% suggests that most comparable institutions maintain relatively accessible entry standards, and GSU's approach aligns with this access-oriented mission.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Governors State University maintains exceptional affordability across all income levels, with a published cost of attendance of $23,076 annually. This total includes $11,320 in tuition (same for in-state and out-of-state students), $11,360 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $9,477 after financial aid, representing savings of $13,599 from the sticker price. At $4,616 below the peer median net price of $14,093, GSU offers substantial cost advantages compared to similar institutions.
The university's financial aid approach significantly reduces costs across all income brackets, making higher education accessible to working adults and families with limited resources. Net costs range from $8,419 for middle-low income families to $18,292 for high-income families, demonstrating progressive pricing that supports students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The substantial gap between published prices and actual net costs reflects GSU's commitment to affordability and its effectiveness in leveraging federal, state, and institutional aid to reduce student financial burden.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
42 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
39 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
42 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
100 graduates
Clinical Research Coordinator.
38 graduates
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Governors State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/governors-state-university/analysis.
Exceptional access with strong earnings outcomes
Governors State University ranks #111 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with access performance among the highest we track at the 98.5th percentile. Located in University Park, Illinois, this medium-sized public institution serves a predominantly transfer student population (63.3%) and demonstrates exceptional commitment to educational access.
The university enrolls 52.4% Pell-eligible students and 42.6% first-generation students, reflecting its mission to serve underrepresented populations. While classified as Under-Resourced Institutions in Azimuth's mobility framework, GSU generates remarkable earnings outcomes for its student profile.
Graduates earn $20,336 beyond expectations relative to similar students nationwide, ranking at the 94.5th percentile for this critical uplift measure. With a median earnings of $58,169 ten years after enrollment and manageable debt levels below peer institutions, GSU demonstrates how accessible institutions can deliver strong economic returns despite resource constraints and lower traditional completion metrics.
Students should understand that admission to GSU typically depends more on meeting basic academic requirements and having transferable credits than competing against other applicants for limited seats. This approach creates predictable admission outcomes for students who meet minimum qualifications, making GSU particularly suitable for working adults, community college transfers, and students seeking educational opportunities later in their careers.
The focus shifts from competitive admission to successful degree completion once enrolled.
Governors State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from $45,435 at six years to $58,169 at ten years, representing 28% growth over this period. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,490 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures.
The institution's standout performance lies in its earnings beyond expectations metric, where graduates earn $20,336 more than predicted, ranking at the 94.5th percentile nationally. Low-income graduates earn $40,400 annually, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for underserved populations.
The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the top quartile earning $84,427 compared to $37,592 for the bottom quartile, reflecting differences in program selection and career paths. Approximately 24.7% of graduates continue to graduate school, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced study.
Compared to peer institutions, GSU graduates earn $8,053 more annually, highlighting the institution's ability to generate strong labor market outcomes despite serving a predominantly transfer and non-traditional student population with diverse educational backgrounds and career goals.
Governors State University offers 15 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing stands out as the #1 program in Illinois, ranking #49 nationally with graduates earning $97,713 and maintaining a strong value score of 82.5.
The program graduates 42 students annually, representing focused enrollment in this high-demand field. Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #30 nationally and #4 in Illinois, producing 38 graduates with median earnings of $52,533 and an impressive value score of 59.2.
Corrections Administration performs well at #67 nationally and #7 in Illinois, graduating 63 students with earnings of $51,833 and a value score of 65.4. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program by enrollment with 100 graduates, ranks #197 nationally and #8 in Illinois with median earnings of $55,440.
Psychology, General graduates 96 students annually and ranks #166 nationally with earnings of $43,117, reflecting the university's strength in serving students across diverse academic interests and career preparation pathways.
