University Park, IL · Private University
Is Governors State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,169
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,320
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,320
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$45,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
5.14x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
19.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,618
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,477
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Governors State University graduates earn $13,169 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Governors State University ranked by graduate earnings
32 graduates
51 graduates
48 graduates
120 graduates
53 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Governors State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Governors State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $97,713) and the lowest (Public Health: $33,380) is $64,333/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $97,713 | 8.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,076 | 5.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,435 | 5.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,440 | 4.9x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $52,533 | 4.6x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $52,115 | 4.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,833 | 4.6x |
| Biology, General | $45,671 | 4.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,717 | 4.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,438 | 3.9x |
| Psychology, General | $43,117 | 3.8x |
| Social Work | $42,372 | 3.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,328 | 3.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,766 | 3.3x |
| Public HealthLowest | $33,380 | 3.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Governors State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $58,169 10 years after starting, $13,169 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.