BGSU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

BGSU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or SU? 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 SU ($24,283 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 13.9% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,490 vs. $14,508).
• Shenandoah University is 155.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $22,490 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at SU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $14,502 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 165.8% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($24,747 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 10 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming BGSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at SU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 16.7% at SU.

BGSU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.