Governors State University

Public · Selective · IL

Photo: TheCatalyst31 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationIL · Midwest

SettingSuburban

Undergrads2,556

Student:faculty11:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate12.1%

6-yr grad rate22.1%

Drop-out rate43.8%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$12k

Out-of-state tuition$12k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity72%

Gender diversity63.1%

International2.2%

Identity—

Overview

Governors State University is a public university in University Park, in Chicago's south suburbs. Long an upper-division and graduate institution serving transfer students exclusively, it began admitting freshmen directly in the 2010s while retaining strong ties to community colleges across the region.

Academics

Programs in health professions, business, and education are particular strengths, reflecting the university's history of serving transfer students and working adults, and affordability remains central to its mission and pricing.

Campus & student life

The campus is known for the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, a notable outdoor collection spread across the grounds — a distinctive feature for a school of its size and type — and its suburban setting serves a largely commuter student population rather than a traditional residential one.

Worth knowing

Its community-college transfer partnerships remain a defining strength even as it now serves traditional freshmen, making it a strong option for students planning a transfer-friendly path or looking for an affordable regional public university close to Chicago.

govst.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate48.3%

Enrolled mid-50%1040

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying