Governors State University's published cost of attendance is $24,227. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure: low-income families pay approximately $9,563, middle-income families pay around $11,705, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,076.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $24,227 |
| Tuition and Fees | $12,004 |
| Room and Board | $11,736 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,898 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $12,329 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,563 |
| $30–48k | $10,933 |
| $48–75k | $11,705 |
| $75–110k | $16,741 |
| $110k+ | $22,076 |
Governors State University's published cost of attendance is $24,227. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure: low-income families pay approximately $9,563, middle-income families pay around $11,705, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,076. Azimuth ranks Governors State University #163 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Governors State's financial aid reaches a broad student population through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The institution serves a high proportion of first-generation and low-income undergraduates, and aid packaging reflects that mission. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,618; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,991, and private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,405, median federal debt of $18,618 projects to a monthly payment of about $210 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,405, placing Governors State University in the 31.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,197 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Governors State University in the 40.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Governors State University #1044 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent lifetime returns relative to IL's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,990 — the state median earnings of working adults in the young-adult workforce with only a high school credential. The earnings pattern at Governors State University is anchored in Business and a cluster of applied professional fields. General Studies stands out as the program combining the broadest graduate cohort with strong four-year earnings, making it the institution's highest aggregate-return field. Among the top programs by scale, General Studies program graduates 103 students and delivers median earnings of $50,703 four years after enrollment, with Azimuth ranking the program #100 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Psychology, General and Business Administration round out the mid-tier of the program lineup, with graduates earning $47,048 and $59,562 respectively four years after enrollment. The program mix skews toward Business (20% of graduates) and Education (4%), a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile and connects graduates to stable regional labor-market demand in the Chicago metropolitan area.
