Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Acceptance
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Bowling Green, Ohio, with about 12,812 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 80.96% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,896 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $14,460
- 2024 Average Net Price: $24,022 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 80.96% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 12,812 95.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 63.73%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 30.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 70.9%
- Average SAT Score: 1117
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,689
- Applicants (IPEDS): 18,629
- Room & Board: $14,508 annual estimate
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus: what the data shows
Common questions about Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (ZIP 43403).
NCES locale classification: Town fringe.
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus public or private?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a Public institution.
How much does Bowling Green State University-Main Campus cost?
Published tuition: $14,460 in-state, $22,448 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $24,022.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $18,396 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,547 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $21,820 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $25,741 |
| $110,001+ | $27,414 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $57,840.
How hard is it to get into Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Admission rate: 80.96%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1117 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Total enrollment: 12,812 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 16,689 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,811 students.
About 95% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
150%-time completion rate: 63.73%.
First-year retention: 81.6%.
What do graduates of Bowling Green State University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings: $41,281 six years after entry; $47,896 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
23.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other (218 completions)
- Psychology, General (149 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (148 completions)
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs (139 completions)
- Education, Other (113 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (109 completions)
- Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering (102 completions)
- Engineering/Industrial Management (101 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (98 completions)
- Finance, General (96 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 80.96%; completion rate 63.73%; median earnings $47,896 at 10 years; net price $24,022. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$14,460
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus was $14,460.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$24,022
2024 Value
In 2024 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $24,022.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$96,088 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$24,022 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$57,840 4-Year In-State Tuition
$89,792 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$14,508 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$29,768 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$119,072 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus.
Financial Aid by Income Level
23.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
47.94% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $10,726 | $18,034 | $17,793 |
| 2014 | $10,726 | $18,034 | $17,944 |
| 2015 | $10,796 | $18,332 | $18,437 |
| 2016 | $11,057 | $18,593 | $18,272 |
| 2017 | $11,057 | $18,593 | $19,128 |
| 2018 | $11,105 | $19,093 | $18,456 |
| 2019 | $11,316 | $19,305 | $18,394 |
| 2020 | $11,573 | $19,562 | $18,558 |
| 2021 | $13,061 | $21,049 | $16,310 |
| 2022 | $13,639 | $22,212 | $20,879 |
| 2023 | $14,081 | $22,070 | $20,918 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
80.96% Acceptance Rate
18,629 Total Applicants
15,016 Students Admitted
3,114 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.74% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1117
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus reported total enrollment of about 12,812 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 43% male and 57% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (78.3%), Black or African American (6.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). About 23.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
95.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus in 2024 is 12,812 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 16,689 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,811 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
81.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 78.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
48.13% 100% Completion Time
63.73% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 48.13% of students graduating from Bowling Green State University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other: 51% male / 49% female
- Psychology, General: 26% male / 74% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 28% male / 72% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$47,896 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
52.20% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
398.46% Return on Investment
5.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 140 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other: 218 completions
2. Psychology, General: 149 completions
3. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 148 completions
4. Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs: 139 completions
5. Education, Other: 113 completions
6. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 109 completions
7. Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering: 102 completions
8. Engineering/Industrial Management: 101 completions
9. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 98 completions
Most popular programs at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 70.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,477
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,814
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, OH, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other, Psychology, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 12,812 students. Student body composition includes White (78.3%), Black or African American (6.7%), Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). The admission rate is 80.96%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1117. The 150%-time completion rate is 63.73%. Approximately 23.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 140 distinct degree programs, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus located?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH.
What is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is 81.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 18,629 applicants and 15,016 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Bowling Green State University-Main Campus cost?
Reported tuition is $14,460 and average net price is $24,022 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,508 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus reports undergraduate enrollment of about 16,689 students, White (78.3%), Black or African American (6.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
About 30.3% of students at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus reports midpoint SAT about 1117 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Bowling Green State University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings are $41,281 six years after entry and $47,896 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
The 150%-time completion rate is 63.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Bowling Green State University-Main Campus students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus public or private?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, OH.
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus an HBCU?
No. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus a tribal college?
No. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Ohio college costs
- Ohio colleges by ROI
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Ohio
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.