Governor's State University
Chicago, United States
- Cost of Living$ 23,640
- Tuition Fee From$ 13,398
- Country Rank#610
- Batch Strength2,709
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Governor's State University (GSU) is a public university located in University Park, Illinois, in the United States. Established in 1969, GSU is one of the newer universities in Illinois, but it has quickly become a vital institution in the region. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes in various fields, including business, education, health, arts and sciences, and public administration.
The university is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. GSU's diversity initiatives include the Centre for the Junior Year, which provides academic support and mentoring to first-year students, and the Multicultural Student Affairs office, which promotes cultural awareness and understanding.
Another standout feature of GSU is its commitment to community engagement. The university's mission statement emphasises its dedication to serving the needs of the local community and promoting social justice. To that end, GSU offers a variety of community-focused programmes and initiatives, such as the Community Service Learning Programme, which allows students to volunteer with local organisations and earn academic credit.
GSU's academic programmes are designed to prepare students for success in their chosen fields. The university's business programme, for example, offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing. The education programme prepares future teachers and administrators with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles. And the health programme offers degrees in areas such as nursing, occupational therapy, and social work.
Ranking
US News and World Report of 2024 placed the university at #149-164 in Regional Universities Midwest. Another list the university ranked in was Top Public Schools; here, the number was #55-56. USNWR is known to provide the best university rankings.
Otherwise, several ranking organisations have recognised Governor's State University (GSU) for its academic programmes, affordability, and diversity. Here are some of the notable rankings for GSU:
- #1443 - Best Colleges In Nation - College Factual 2024
- #66 - Best Colleges In Illinois - College Factual 2024
- #299 - Most Diverse Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #791 - Best Value Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #3094 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #874 - In North America - EduRank 2024
- #806 - In United States - EduRank 2024
- #33 - In Illinois - EduRank 2024
Additionally, Victory Media has designated the university a Military-Friendly School. This designation recognises universities that support military veterans and their families.
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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-
Facilities
Governor's State University offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and resources for students. The university has over 50 student clubs and organisations, including academic clubs, cultural groups, and sports teams. Some of the key facilities offered by the university are:
Library: The library is the academic heart of the university, providing resources, services, and facilities to support teaching, learning, research, and scholarship. The library offers access to over 1 million books, journals, and other materials, as well as computer workstations, group study rooms, and multimedia resources.
Campus Centre: The Campus Centre is the hub of student life at GSU, providing a variety of services and amenities to support student success. The centre features a food court, a student lounge, a game room, a fitness centre, and offices for student organisations and services.
Science and Technology Building: The Science and Technology Building is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the university's science and technology programmes. The building features modern laboratories, classrooms, and research facilities, as well as specialised equipment and technology.
Visual and Performing Arts Centre: The Visual and Performing Arts Centre is a cultural and artistic hub for the university and the surrounding community. The centre features a 470-seat theatre, a black box theatre, art galleries, and studios for visual arts, music, and theatre.
Athletics and Recreation Centre: The Athletics and Recreation Centre provides a variety of facilities for sports and fitness activities, including a gymnasium, an indoor track, a fitness centre, and outdoor fields and courts.
Residence Halls: The university also offers on-campus housing for students in its two residence halls, Prairie Place and University Park North. Both halls offer a variety of amenities, including furnished rooms, common areas, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi access.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
Governor's State University acceptance rate stands at 57% for international students in 2024. This indicates that the admission policy is moderately selective. Students aiming for this college must have over-achieving grades and scores.
Governors State University has been steadily increasing its acceptance rate over the past few years. The 2023 acceptance rate was 57.48%, higher than its 9-year average of 53.45%.
However, GSU's yield dropped, with only 29.48% of accepted students enrolling compared to the average 38.51% over the same 9-year period. Interestingly, the university saw a 59.67% spike in applications, amounting to 697 more applicants than last year.
So, while GSU opened its doors wider in 2023, a smaller portion of admitted students chose to attend. However, the sizeable increase in applications indicates heightened interest in the university.
Governor's State University Entry Requirements
Governor's State University is a popular choice for many students. The entry requirements vary depending on the programme selected. Please note that some programmes may have additional requirements, such as specific prerequisite courses or work experience. Students may also have to pay an application fee. Below are the supporting documents required for admission:
- Completed application forms
- Official academic transcripts
- SAT scores - 860-890
- ACT scores - 18
- GPA scores - 2.5 and above
- Personal statement
- English proficiency test scores
Accepted English proficiency test scores
- TOEFL - 79
- IELTS - 6.5
- PTE - 54
Governor's State University Fees
The institution offers several programmes at different levels. Listed below are the fees based on various courses -
- MS in Computer Science - $18,524/Year
- MS in Management Information Systems - $18,524/Year
- MS in Health Informatics - $11,649/Year
Placements
Governor's State University has a strong track record of preparing its students for successful careers. The university’s Career Services Centre offers a variety of resources to help students prepare for and find employment after graduation. This includes job search assistance, career counselling, resume and cover letter reviews, and networking events with employers.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), GSU's job placement rate for undergraduate students is 92%. This means that 92% of graduates secure employment within 6 months of graduation. According to College Scorecard data, the median salary for GSU graduates 10 years after entering the university is $45,800. Some of the top employers of GSU graduates include Amazon, Advocate Health Care, ComEd, Cook County, and the Chicago Public Schools.
Scholarship
GSU doesn’t offer scholarships for international students. However, you can turn to external scholarships to alleviate your financial charges. UniScholars is one such marketplace known to offer several external scholarships to students. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at Governor's State University through UniScholars.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Governor's State University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Governor's State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
University Park is a small village located in Will County, Illinois and home to Governors State University. While the community is small, students have access to a variety of resources and opportunities to enhance their college experience. The cost of living in University Park is 10% lower compared to the national average and 12% lower than the state average. This makes it a good option for international students. Below is a list of the expenses that prospective students should keep in mind
|
Items |
Cost |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$1,297 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$829 |
|
Transportation |
$70 |
|
Food Cost |
$327 |
|
Utility Cost |
$195 |
|
Entertainment |
$48 |
|
Groceries |
$4 |
|
Clothes |
$118 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation |
$2,176, |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation |
$1,708 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$20,494 |