BGSU vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

BGSU vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or JCU? 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 Bowling Green State University Main Campus than JCU ($24,283 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus are 0.1% lower than at John Carroll University ($14,508 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 249.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $36,040 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125% higher at JCU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $28,052 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 284.4% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($35,785 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. JCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 150 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming JCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

BGSU vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and JCU? 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates have a $939 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, BGSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.