AQ vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

AQ vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or BGSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than BGSU ($18,018 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 19.5% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,680 vs. $14,508).
• Aquinas College is 178.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $25,758 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.2% higher at AQ than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $17,770 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 260.2% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($33,535 vs. $9,310).

AQ vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or BGSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BGSU and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 80 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

AQ vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and BGSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowling Green State University Main Campus and AQ graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bowling Green State University Main Campus and AQ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.