Governers State University

Welcome to a university that puts your passion first. Here, you are. About to soar. Whether it’s a breakout freshman year that defines you at your best. Or a continuation of an academic journey that refines your rightful place in the world. Here, at Governors State University, your mission is our passion.

We put your needs at the center of it all by creating a unique university experience that identifies your strengths and shows you how to translate them into all aspects of living and learning. Your integrity. Your character. Your intellectual curiosity. Your bright light. Each of these are respected and explored with caring faculty as they guide you through small classes based on big ideas, hands-on labs that hone valuable skills and real-world experiences that prepare you to make a global impact. Here, you surround yourself with excellence designed to ensure you’re always exceptional.

Founded in 1969, Governors State University GSU is a four-year public university in the state of Illinois that champions openness, innovation and flexibility. Serving more than 5,500 students, GSU offers 64 degree and 24 certificate programs and our students earn the qualifications needed to succeed in business, industry, healthcare, the arts and education.

GSU is expert at guiding freshman and transfer students to discover the right degree program to excite their interests. The university’s extensive list of graduate programs prepares students in a variety of fields for the next level of academic achievement. The GSU experience includes a comprehensive student life, both on and off campus, with on-campus housing; club sports and recreation; civic engagement; international student services; more than 70 student clubs and organizations; the world renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park sculpture park, the Center for Performing Arts and much more. Set amongst 750 acres of prairie, GSU is located 40 miles south of Chicago, and is proud to offer the most affordable university undergraduate tuition rate in the state of Illinois. The university faculty, administration and staff are committed to providing a quality education, embracing diversity and serving students with excellence.

Governors State University is committed to offering an exceptional and accessible education that prepares students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in a global society. GSU will create an intellectually stimulating public square, serve as an economic catalyst for the region, and lead as a model of academic excellence, innovation, diversity and responsible citizenship.

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both. Our professors are full of big ideas. They are both talented educators and researchers – often working with undergraduates as research team members. They are also mentors with ideas to share as you look forward to the next step in your career.

Each of our colleges includes both majors and minors to prepare you for a great career--or to continue your education. Whether you come to GSU as a freshman, a transfer student, a candidate for a master's or doctor's degree, or a Dual Degree Program student, whether you come in search of a certificate or you want to continue your education, you'll find your fit here.

Your journey here will fuel your passions and help you discover your place in the world. By understanding and appreciating your strengths, our faculty and staff are uniquely qualified to present you with opportunities to enhance, refine, and hone the skills you already possess—as well as develop new skillsets.

Governor State University's bachelor's, master's, doctoral, online, certificate, and dual degree programs offer the breadth, rigor, structure, and knowledge essential for college, career, and life success, while offering the highest return on investment of any state university in Illinois. Located in the Southlands of Chicago, Illinois, GSU also provides world-class education at the lowest tuition and fees of any public, four-year state university, and our campus is the safest in the state.

A college education is a solid investment that will likely pay for itself over a graduate’s lifetime. As with any major decision, planning and research is critical. We encourage all students to apply for financial aid to help make college education affordable. But we understand that filling out financial aid application can be daunting. The Financial Aid Office is committed to helping you research all options to make your valuable education most affordable.

The Honors Program invites you to participate in a curriculum designed to enrich your academic experience. It offers opportunities to be more engaged in your studies with a variety of formal and informal learning settings. It is designed to make a difference in each student's life and provide motivation to go a step further as well as maintain higher expectations in reaching your fullest potential. The Honors Program curriculum is based on providing high-impact, challenging, and experiential learning opportunities - both in and out of the classroom - for our high-achieving students.

We promote leadership skills and personal development in our curricular and co-curricular opportunities for the betterment of the individual student, the university, and the global community.