Governors State University
#4 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 21% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,169 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,329 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 48% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 32.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $32.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $32.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,558,008.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 21% — 63% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $32.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Governors State University
Governors State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,556
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions
Why students choose Governors State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 48% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,329 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,169 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $18,618 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Just over half of the students at Governors State University receive Pell Grants, highlighting its commitment to serving low-income students. With an acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse student body, though only 21% of those enrolled graduate within six years.
The economic mobility data for Governors State University shows a mixed picture. While specific mobility rates aren't available, the earnings potential for graduates is notable. Alumni report an average income of $58,169 ten years after graduation, suggesting that a degree from this institution can lead to solid financial outcomes for many.
In practical terms, the net price for students is approximately $12,329, which is relatively affordable compared to national averages. Graduates leave with a median debt of $18,618, making it manageable for many. Students who thrive at Governors State typically pursue programs in Business, Humanities, Psychology, Health Professions, or Computer Science & IT. These fields align well with workforce needs and can lead to promising career paths.
Rankings
- #4 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
- #5 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #5 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
- #5 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
- #5 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #18 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #35 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
- #35 Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Governors State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Governors State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Governors State University, located in University Park, Illinois, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Retention Rate
- 56%
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,619
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 1,865
- Admitted
- 1,072
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Governors State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Governors State University is $12,004, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,329. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,618 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,004
- Out-of-State
- $12,004
- Avg Net Price
- $12,329
- Median Debt
- $18,618
- Pell Grant Rate
- 54%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,563
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,933
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,705
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,076
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Governors State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Governors State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Governors State University earn a median of $58,169, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,435
- 8 Years
- $52,619
- 10 Years
- $58,169
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (28)
- 12%
- 100% (28)
- 12%
- 100% (28)
- 12%
- 100% (28)
- 12%
How Governors Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Governors State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Governors State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,329/year ($49,316 total). Graduates earn $58,169 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,607,324 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,558,008 (32.6× your investment). The median debt is $18,618, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 21% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,316
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,607,324
- Net Return
- $1,558,008
- ROI Multiple
- 32.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,329
- Median Debt
- $18,618
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $3,363,463
- Federal Grants
- $4,087,943
- Investment Income
- $156,986
Top Programs
The fields Governors State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 21% $54,760 early-career
- Psychology 16% $32,231 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 11% $54,296 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $96,827 early-career
- Humanities 10% $43,782 early-career
- Education 7% $38,867 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $47,127 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Governors State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Governors State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Governors State University, located in University Park, Illinois, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Governors State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Governors State University is $12,004, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,329. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,618 in federal student loans.
Is Governors State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Governors State University earn a median of $58,169, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Governors State University.
- Coppin State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer26% grad $46,490 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview, TX · Close peer19% grad $51,838 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL · Close peer36% grad $44,232 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN · Close peer51% grad $53,755 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN · Close peer45% grad $51,342 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar size
- Minot State UniversityMinot, ND · Close peer46% grad $51,759 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar size · similar net price
