BGSU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

BGSU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than BGSU ($16,230 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus are 3.9% lower than at Cleveland State University ($14,508 vs. $15,104).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $1,472 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at BGSU than at Cleveland State University (about $3,938 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Cleveland State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($9,795 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BGSU or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and BGSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 100 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

BGSU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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.