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Governors State University acceptance rate & admissions

Governors State University admits 48% of applicants, about 1 in 2.

Check your chances at GSU → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
48%

More selective than 85% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Not reported

Share of students sending scores not reported.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall entering class

Admitted students who enroll
—

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose GSU over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall entering class

What GSU weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as GSU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
  • SAT/ACT scores
Important
  • Essay
Not considered
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • Class rank
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

High school GPA of GSU first-year students

Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.20. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.

4.011%
3.75–3.998%
3.50–3.7411%
3.25–3.499%
3.00–3.2417%
2.50–2.9924%
2.00–2.4911%
1.00–1.992%
Below 1.08%

Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early decision (binding)
Offered
Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

How selective is GSU compared with other Illinois colleges?

GSU has the 9th-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
5University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign42%85%$14,355
6Chicago State University43%15%$12,335
7Principia College44%74%—
8Judson University48%60%$18,558
9Governors State University48%22%$12,329
10Quincy University51%45%$20,359
11Illinois Institute of Technology55%75%$18,425
12Olivet Nazarene University56%61%$20,729
13Lake Forest College57%78%$28,673

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →

Who enrolls at GSU

First-year students who return for year two56%
First-year students from Illinois95%
Pell Grant recipients54%
First-generation students43%
Women / men63% / 37%
International students2%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

GSU admissions questions

What is the GSU acceptance rate?

Governors State University accepts 48% of applicants, about 1 in 2.

What does GSU look for in applicants?

Governors State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: essay. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Does GSU have early decision?

Yes. Governors State University offers binding early decision.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; GSU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Governors State University overview