Governors State University is a public university in University Park, Illinois, United States. The 750 acres campus is located 30 miles south of Chicago, Illinois. GovState was founded in 1969. It is a public university offering degree programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. GSU’s graduation rate is ~53% & Acceptance rate is ~57%.

Although unranked by Times Higher Education and QS on a global level, Governors State University is placed 149th in the US News & World Report in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities Rankings. Here's a detailed analysis of GSU's rankings, focusing on its academic programs, regional standing, and other notable achievements.

Also Check: Governors State University Courses and Fees 2025


GSU’s US News & World Report Rankings

The US News & World Report rankings are one of the most trusted sources for evaluating universities in the United States. GSU has consistently performed well in these rankings, particularly in its regional and subject-specific categories. Below is a breakdown of GSU's rankings in the 2025 edition of US News & World Report:

Regional and Overall Rankings

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Regional Universities Midwest #149-164 #149-164 #149-164
Top Public Schools #55-56 #55-56 #55-56

Subject-Specific Rankings

GSU's undergraduate business program is a standout, earning a strong position in the US News rankings. Here’s how it performed:

Program 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Undergraduate Business #453 #453 #440

GSU's Performance in Other Categories

In addition to its academic rankings, GSU has also been recognized in other areas, including social mobility, diversity, safety, and value. Below is a summary of its performance in these categories:

Social Mobility

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Top Performers in Social Mobility #70 #70 #70

Diversity

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Most Diverse Colleges in America #397 #397 #397

Safety

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Safest College Campuses in America #486 #486 #486

Value

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Best Value Colleges in America #458 #458 #458

Also Check: Admissions Guide for Governors State University


Illinois-Specific Rankings

GSU also performs well in state-specific rankings, particularly in Illinois and the Chicago area. Here’s how it fares:

Illinois Rankings

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Best College Food in Illinois #8 #8 #8
Colleges with the Best Academics in Illinois #19 #19 #19
Safest College Campuses in Illinois #19 #19 #19
Most Diverse Colleges in Illinois #23 #23 #23
Best Value Colleges in Illinois #24 #24 #24
Colleges with the Best Professors in Illinois #26 #26 #26

Chicago Area Rankings

Ranking Category 2023 Rank 2024 Rank 2025 Rank
Best Value Colleges in Chicago Area #16 #16 #16

Other Notable Rankings:

GovState's Online MBA in Supply Chain Management program was ranked fifth in the U.S. by Onlinemasters.com's 2023 Best Online MBA in Supply Chain Management list. In 2021, U.S. News and World Report ranked GovState in the top 25 Midwest schools for boosting social mobility.

Also Read: Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in the World in 2025

Governors State University is a strong contender in the Midwest, particularly for its undergraduate business programs and commitment to social mobility. Its consistent performance in US News & World Report rankings, along with its recognition in diversity, safety, and value, makes it an attractive option for prospective students.

GSU Ranking FAQs

Ques. What is the Governors State University ranking?

Ans. Governors State University is ranked among regional universities in the Midwest by various ranking organizations. Its specific ranking can vary year by year and by the criteria used by each ranking body.

Ques. What is Governors State University famous for?

Ans. Governors State University is known for its commitment to providing accessible and quality education, particularly for adult learners and transfer students. It is also recognized for its programs in business, education, health, and the arts.

Ques. What is Governors State University ranked in Forbes?

Ans. As of the latest available data, Governors State University may not be prominently ranked in Forbes' list of top colleges. Forbes typically ranks institutions based on factors like alumni salary, student satisfaction, and debt, among others.

Ques. What is Governors State University's QS World Ranking?

Ans. Governors State University is not typically included in the QS World University Rankings, which tend to focus on larger research universities with a significant global presence.

Ques. What is the ranking of Governors State University’s law school?

Ans. Governors State University does not have a law school, so it does not have a law school ranking.

Ques. What is the Governors State University MBA ranking?

Ans. Governors State University's MBA program is regionally recognized, but it may not appear in major national rankings like those from U.S. News & World Report or The Financial Times.

Ques. Is Governors State University accredited?

Ans. Yes, Governors State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that it meets high standards of quality in education.