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Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Town · 12,812 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$24,022
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
63%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$47,896
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
81%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a comprehensive public research university renowned for its exceptional programs in education, business, aviation studies, and the musical arts. The university stands out for its unique, hands-on learning facilities, notably operating its own on-campus airport and flight center as well as hosting the state-of-the-art Ohio Attorney General’s Center for the Future of Forensic Science. Set in a classic, close-knit Midwestern college town, the BGSU student experience is defined by an energetic campus community anchored by over 300 student organizations and spirited Division I Falcon athletics, particularly its storied ice hockey program.

Location
Bowling Green, OH, 43403 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
DTW · Detroit
60 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$14,460$22,448
Housing & food (on campus)$14,508$14,508
Books & supplies$800$800
Cost of attendance$33,007$41,890
Average net price$24,022Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$22,448
In-state: $14,460
Housing & food (on campus)$14,508
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$41,890
In-state: $33,007
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $24,022
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bgsu.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$14,774
Fees$730
Housing$8,160
Food$6,016
Books & supplies$860
Personal expenses$2,400
Transportation$920
Total published by the school$41,890
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$18,396
$30–48k
$18,547
$48–75k
$21,820
$75–110k
$25,741
$110k+
$27,414
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
63%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
48%
Back for yr 2
82%
Transferred
21%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
63% graduated · 24% transferred · 13% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$41,281
10 yrs after entry$47,896
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$6.2k–$27k
90th percentile$35,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
81%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1117
R 500–610 · M 500–600
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 19–26 · E 17–24 · M 17–25
SAT middle 50%: 1000–1210
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Bowling Green State University-Main Campus asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
23%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$63,845
Independent
11%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
78%
Hispanic
6%
Black
7%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$41,281
After 10 yrs
$47,896
Special Education and Teaching203
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods139
Psychology, General127
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness124
Business Administration, Management and Operations122
Biology, General121
Marketing102
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing101
Education, Other98
Criminal Justice and Corrections92
Accounting and Related Services87
Finance and Financial Management Services85
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other82
Air Transportation69
Engineering-Related Fields67
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies67
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$237M
Full-time faculty
71%
Faculty salary
$10,477/mo
Teaching spend
$11,814
per student
Federal loans
48%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$20M research spending · 88 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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