CMU vs. BGSU

Should I go to Central Michigan University or Bowling Green State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or BGSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Central Michigan University vs. Bowling Green State University Main Campus comparison
Central Michigan University Bowling Green State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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Overview

 CMU BGSU
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Bowling Green, OH
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 14,557 16,920
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #728
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu bgsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU BGSU
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $11,272
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $19,845
Room & Board $11,248 $12,584
Avg Net Price $15,605 $20,485
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $8,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 95%

Admission

 CMU BGSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 17,447
Admitted 15,701 13,723
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 78.7%
Enrolled % 12.9% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/25
SAT Range 980/1220 990/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 CMU BGSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 CMU BGSU
Graduation Rate 54% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

 CMU BGSU
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 78%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

 CMU BGSU
% In-State 90% 88%
% Out-of-State 9% 11%

Campus

 CMU BGSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (16,920 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or BGSU?

  • Central Michigan University is 17.1% more expensive to attend than BGSU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $11,272.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.3% higher at BGSU than Central Michigan University ($19,845.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than BGSU ($15,605 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 11.9% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,248 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Bowling Green State University Main Campus (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 27.2% larger than aid received Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,314 vs. $8,898)

CMU vs. BGSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or BGSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BGSU or CMU .

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 37 points higher than at BGSU (1012)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at BGSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than BGSU (78.7%)

CMU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or BGSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between BGSU and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at BGSU is higher than Central Michigan University (58% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $900 more per year than BGSU graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $43,600)
  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • BGSU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/