BGSU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than BGSU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 17,594 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

BGSU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent than BGSU ($21,278 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 4.9% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($13,794 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $1,228 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Kent State than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $634 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Kent State University at Kent (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($10,076 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 20 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

BGSU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $175 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($267 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 46%)

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.