BGSU vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

BGSU vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than BGSU ($24,095 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 15.6% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,250 vs. $14,508).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 149.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $21,650 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.9% higher at WLC than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $13,662 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 164.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($24,624 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 10 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC 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; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• 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 WLC (3.54).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 20.2% at WLC.

BGSU vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and WLC? 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).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $600 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.