Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Governors State University graduates experience steady earnings progression over time, with median income growing from $45,435 at six years to $52,619 at eight years and reaching $58,169 at ten years post-enrollment. This represents 28% growth between the six-year and ten-year measurement points, indicating consistent career advancement as graduates gain professional experience.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings exceed the peer average, indicating above-typical outcomes for this institution type.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $18,618 in debt with typical earnings.
Student borrowing at Governors State University remains well-controlled despite serving a predominantly low-income population. Median student debt of $18,618 falls $2,487 below the peer median of $21,105, ranking at the 77th percentile nationally for debt management.
Governors State University demonstrates well above average return performance, ranking at the 84.4th percentile nationally on Azimuth's return index. The university's standout achievement lies in earnings beyond expectations, where graduates earn $20,336 more than predicted based on their demographic and academic profile, placing GSU at the 94.5th percentile nationally.
Approximately 24.7% of Governors State University graduates continue to graduate or professional school, with medium confidence in this estimate based...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-specific earnings reveal significant variation across Governors State University's academic portfolio, with Adult Health Nursing leading at $97,713 median earnings and ranking #1 in Illinois. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $59,076, followed by Accounting Technology at $56,435 and Business Administration at $55,440.
Lower-earning programs include General Studies at $37,766 and Behavioral Aspects of Health at $33,380, reflecting differences in career preparation focus and labor market demand. The nursing program's exceptional performance drives much of the institution's strong overall return metrics, while business and technology programs provide solid middle-income pathways.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes at Governors State University show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career paths and program choices. The distribution spans from $37,592 at the 25th percentile to $84,427 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.2:1 ratio that indicates moderate earnings inequality among graduates.
