At $9,477/yr net price, Governors State University graduates earn $58,169/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,169/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,477 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,169/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,169/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 19.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,618 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,982/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,419/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,856/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,513/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,292/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $93,224 | $41,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $81,491 | $12,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $75,270 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,635 | $49,932 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $65,695 | $69,700 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,493 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $60,839 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,151 | $42,900 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $53,358 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,935 |
The Risk Factor
19.6% of students at Governors State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Governors State University keeps costs low and debt manageable, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which major you pick. The median debt is modest, and you can borrow less than the price of a used car to finish here. The problem is the graduation rate below 20% and a retention rate under 60%, which means a lot of people who enroll never finish, and an unfinished degree returns nothing on what you paid.
Nursing is the clear winner. Graduates earn nearly $81,500 while carrying the lowest program debt on this list, so the return is strong and the risk is low. If you want a reliable financial outcome from this school, nursing is it.
Everything else pays noticeably less. Accounting, computer science, and business administration all land in the low-to-mid $40,000s, and business grads carry close to $18,000 in debt for a $40,855 payoff. That gap between nursing and the rest is large enough that your choice of major matters more than your choice of school.
The financial risk here is completion, not cost. Sticker price is not the danger. leaving without a degree is. Before enrolling, be honest about whether you can finish, because the odds shown here are not in your favor.
Net price barely moves across the lower income brackets, so if your family earns under $75,000 you pay roughly the same. Families over $110,000 pay double what lower-income families do, near $18,300 a year. This school fits you if you plan to study nursing, live near University Park, and can commit to graduating. If you want a computing or business degree with a stronger salary, compare other schools before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Governors State University worth the cost?
Governors State University offers good value with a low net price of $9,477 per year and modest debt load of $18,618. However, the 19.6% graduation rate is concerning and could limit your return on investment if you don't complete your degree.
What are the best paying majors at Governors State University?
Nursing programs at Governors State University lead to the highest earnings, with some graduates earning over $93,000 annually. Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions and business administration also provide solid returns with median salaries between $65,000-$75,000.
How much debt do Governors State University graduates have?
Governors State University graduates typically leave with $18,618 in debt, which is below the national average. Given the low tuition costs and decent earning potential in top programs, this debt level is manageable for most career paths.
Do Governors State University graduates get good jobs after college?
Governors State University graduates earn a median of $58,169 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable given the low cost of attendance. Success varies significantly by program, with nursing and healthcare majors seeing much higher earnings than the overall average.