Governors State University
Governors State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Governors State University at a Glance
Governors State University is a public university in University Park, Illinois, United States. The 750 acres (3.0 km2) campus is located 30 miles (48 km) south of Chicago, Illinois. GSU was founded in 1969. It is a public university offering degree programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. GSU has four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Health and Human Services.
1969
57 years old
4,427
2,609 undergrad · 1,818 grad
Identity
Is Governors State University Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Governors State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,169 — 8% above average — while paying $12,329/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 21% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Governors State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Governors State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #40 of 48 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #5 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #6 | Charter Oak State College | 68 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| #40 | Governors State University | 25 | $12,329 | $58,169 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Governors State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Governors State University
The highest-earning program at Governors State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $77,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $23,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Governors State University earns $77,100, while a Social Work graduate earns $23,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $14,442 in median debt vs. $23,900 for Social Work.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,329/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,100 | $77,100 | $14,442 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $42,200 | $42,200 | $17,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,100 | $42,100 | $20,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,000 | $39,000 | $20,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,700 | $36,700 | $17,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $35,600 | $35,600 | $20,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,800 | $34,800 | $18,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,300 | $32,300 | $22,500 |
| Public Health | $32,300 | $32,300 | $16,144 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,100 | $31,100 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,400 | $29,400 | $19,153 |
| Psychology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $18,749 |
| Social Work | $23,800 | $23,800 | $23,900 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- University Park, IL
- Student Body
- 2,556 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,329
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,169
- Median Student Debt
- $18,618