Mission Statement:

Governors State University is committed to offering an exceptional and accessible education that imbues students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a global society. GSU is dedicated to creating an intellectually stimulating public square, serving as an economic catalyst for the region, and being a model of diversity and responsible citizenship.

About Us:

Governors State University (GSU) is the only public university in Chicago's south suburban area, serving approximately 7,750 students. GSU provides affordable and accessible undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students with undergraduate tuition that is the most affordable in the Chicagoland region.

Governors State University was founded in 1969 guided by the fundamental concepts of openness, innovation, flexibility, and experimentation. Early GSU was like no other institution of higher education. Classrooms, by design, lacked walls and students were judged by competencies instead of grades.

Experimentation eventually paved the way for change. As a result of a thorough assessment of evolving academic programs and student needs, interior walls were constructed and a traditional grading system was introduced. Yet the strong spirit of innovation remains.

Today's students benefit from the university's high academic quality, convenient class times, and outstanding educational value. Connected to the City of Chicago and surrounding suburban and farm communities by commuter rail and major expressways, access to GSU is easy and direct. Amid 760 acres of prairie, students enjoy access to vital urban, teeming suburban, and vibrant country life.

As an upper division university, course work begins at the junior baccalaureate level, making it ideal for students transferring from community colleges, adults returning to college, and those seeking to increase their qualifications through a graduate degree or certificate program.

While GSU has changed in many ways, its founding principles have not changed, and never will. Innovative ideas will always have a home at Governor's State along with the commitment to provide a quality education, embrace diversity, reach out to students and surrounding communities, and serve the traditionally underserved.