BGSU vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

BGSU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than BGSU ($22,702 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus are 1.4% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($14,508 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 103.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $14,932 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at W&J than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $6,944 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 116.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($20,152 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BGSU or W&J? 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 W&J and BGSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 20 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming W&J students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at W&J (3.54).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than W&J (80.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 12.6% at W&J.

BGSU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 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 W&J graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BGSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.