BGSU vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BGSU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or ONU? 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 ONU ($24,283 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus are 0.7% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($14,508 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 175.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $25,340 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.3% higher at ONU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $17,352 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (97% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 197.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($27,696 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is 180 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming ONU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

BGSU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and ONU? 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).

• Ohio Northern University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $27,600 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BGSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.