BGSU vs. Central State University

Should I go to Bowling Green State University Main Campus or Central State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BGSU or Central State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowling Green State University Main Campus vs. Central State University comparison
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Central State University College 3 College 4
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Central State University
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Overview

BGSU Central State University
Location Bowling Green, OH Wilberforce, OH
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 16,920 5,434
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #728 #1023
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bgsu.edu centralstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

BGSU Central State University
Tuition (In State) $11,272 $5,176
Tuition (Out of State) $19,845 $7,176
Room & Board $12,584 $10,900
Avg Net Price $20,485 $10,194
Avg Grant Aid $8,898 $6,943
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 91%

Admission

BGSU Central State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,447 3,814
Admitted 13,723 3,388
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 88.8%
Enrolled % 21.4% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 2.8
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 14/18
SAT Range 990/1200 770/950
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

BGSU Central State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

BGSU Central State University
Graduation Rate 58% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $27,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 16%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $39,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $403

Diversity

BGSU Central State University
% Men 42% 30%
% Women 58% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 78% 1%
% Black 10% 95%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

BGSU Central State University
% In-State 88% 55%
% Out-of-State 11% 36%

Campus

BGSU Central State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than than Central State University based on total student enrollment (16,920 students vs. 5,434 students)

BGSU vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or Central State University?

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 117.8% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($11,272.00 vs. $5,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 176.5% higher at BGSU than Central State University ($19,845.00 vs. $7,176.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than BGSU ($10,194 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 15.4% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,900 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than Central State University (95% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students is 28.2% larger than aid received Central State University ($8,898 vs. $6,943)

BGSU vs. Central State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BGSU or Central State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central State University or BGSU .

  • The average SAT score at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1012) is 235 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming BGSU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than BGSU (78.7%)

BGSU vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BGSU or Central State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Central State University and BGSU.

  • The graduation rate at BGSU is higher than Central State University (58% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn on average $16,400 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $27,200)
  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus students graduate with a $13,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $39,000)
  • BGSU graduates are paying $135 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($268 vs. $403)
  • More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 16%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/