About

About Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

public doctoral universityhigh research activityinclusive admissionseducation and health focus

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Bowling Green, OH, known for its public doctoral university, high research activity, and inclusive admissions. With an acceptance rate of 79%, Bowling Green is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 2,937 students each year. Bowling Green is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1000–1220, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Bowling Green offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $6,842 per year; the sticker price of $36,952 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

79%
Overall Accept Rate
3.50
Typical Admitted GPA
1110
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.25 – 4.00 unweighted

Build your free list to see where your GPA lands at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus →

SATSubmitted score range: 1000 – 1220 (test optional)

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

ACTScore range: 19 – 25

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Application Strategy
Apply to the Honors College when you submit your BGSU application, since it uses the same application with no separate fee and gives you access to smaller classes, priority registration, and dedicated advising. Students with strong GPAs and involvement in school activities are competitive candidates.
Application Strategy
BGSU has nationally recognized programs in music education, sports management, and film production, so if any of those match your interests, name the specific college or program in your application materials to show you have done your research beyond just the school name.

Get a tailored strategy for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

Build My Free List →

Financial Aid & Cost

What Bowling Green State University-Main Campus actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$37k/yr$18.4k
30k-48k~$37k/yr$18.5k
48k-75k~$37k/yr$21.8k
75k-110k~$37k/yr$25.7k
110k+~$37k/yr$27.4k

Not sure what Bowling Green State University-Main Campus would cost your family? Build your free SpearMatch list. We show estimated net cost for every college on your list based on your income bracket.

Unlock real pricing for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus and matching colleges →

Personalize this page

Compare your profile to Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's admitted class

SpearMatch builds a tiered college list from your actual grades, scores, and preferences — and shows where you stand at every college. Free, no account, 4 minutes.

Build My Free List →

✓ Free forever  ·  ✓ No account  ·  ✓ 1,300+ four-year US colleges

Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

63%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$41k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
19:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
13,082
Undergrad Enrollment
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch