Governors State University (GSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Governors State University
Set amid prairie landscape with an outdoor sculpture park woven into daily life, Governors State University has a reputation for practical, hands-on learning. Students lean into strong areas like business, education, health, public service, and the liberal arts, with small classes and faculty who tend to know names. Modern labs, studios, a busy library, and an on-campus performing arts center anchor the academic side, while advising, tutoring, counseling, and career coaching keep support close at hand.
Campus life feels welcoming and down-to-earth, drawing many transfer and first-gen students who plug into clubs, cultural groups, service projects, intramurals, and spirited home games. On-campus housing and commuter-friendly spaces make it easy to find community. Career preparation runs through everything, from internships and clinicals to connections across the Chicago Southland. Students get the quiet of University Park and quick access to city opportunities, which is a pretty good mix if you ask most Jaguars.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Governors State University (GSU) offers 54 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,215 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Computer & IT (3 programs, 259 graduates), Health (13 programs, 248 graduates), Business (6 programs, 216 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 125 graduates) and Liberal Arts (1 programs, 79 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Computer & IT (3 programs, 259 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 187 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0701 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 42 |
|
Master's
|
11.1003 |
| Information Technology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0103 |
Health (13 programs, 248 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Informatics | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Physical Therapy | 29 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Occupational Therapy | 27 |
|
Master's
|
51.2306 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 24 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Hospital and Health Care Administration | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0702 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2208 |
| Registered Nursing | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Nursing Science | 18 |
|
Master's
|
51.3808 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0201 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 12 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.1501 |
| Nursing Administration | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.3802 |
| Nursing Practice | 2 |
|
Doctorate (O)
|
51.3818 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 1 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.3805 |
Business (6 programs, 216 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 92 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Management Science | 51 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Accounting | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Human Resources Management | 11 |
|
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Organizational Leadership | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0213 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0205 |
Psychology (3 programs, 125 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 26 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| School Psychology | 17 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 79 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0101 |
Education (8 programs, 77 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Early Childhood Education | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 17 |
|
Master's
|
13.0401 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1101 |
| Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 4 |
|
Master's
|
13.1007 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1305 |
| Instructional Technology | 1 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.0501 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 1 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.1401 |
Public Services (2 programs, 66 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 12 |
|
Master's
|
44.0401 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 48 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0104 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 22 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Environmental Biology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
26.1305 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 18 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1301 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Economics | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Governors State University (GSU)
How much does it cost to attend Governors State University (GSU)?
The annual tuition at Governors State University (GSU) is $11,320 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,780 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,360 and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Governors State University offer?
Governors State University (GSU) offers 54 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Doctorate (Other).
Most popular program areas include:
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (13 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Governors State University?
Governors State University (GSU) provides financial aid to 11% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,315 and average loans of $5,351.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,427
- State/Local grants: $7,294
- Institutional grants: $1,380
- Federal loans: $5,162
The university supports 257 students with grants and 118 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Governors State University graduates?
Governors State University (GSU) graduates earn a median salary of $45,435 after 6 years and $58,169 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,592 (25th percentile) to $84,427 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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