Eastern Michigan University vs. BGSU

Should I go to Eastern Michigan University or Bowling Green State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Eastern Michigan University 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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Eastern Michigan University vs. Bowling Green State University Main Campus comparison
Eastern Michigan University Bowling Green State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Eastern Michigan University Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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Overview

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
Location Ypsilanti, MI Bowling Green, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,018 16,920
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #828 #728
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emich.edu bgsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
Tuition (In State) $14,500 $11,272
Tuition (Out of State) $14,500 $19,845
Room & Board $11,396 $12,584
Avg Net Price $15,826 $20,485
Avg Grant Aid $9,945 $8,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 95%

Admission

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,919 17,447
Admitted 16,578 13,723
Acceptance Rate 83.2% 78.7%
Enrolled % 13.1% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 20/25
SAT Range 930/1180 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

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
Graduation Rate 40% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $268

Diversity

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 78%
% Black 20% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Eastern Michigan University BGSU
% In-State 78% 88%
% Out-of-State 11% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than than Eastern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (16,920 students vs. 14,018 students)

Eastern Michigan University vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern Michigan University or BGSU?

  • Eastern Michigan University is 28.6% more expensive to attend than BGSU for in-state tuition ($14,500.00 vs. $11,272.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.9% higher at BGSU than Eastern Michigan University ($19,845.00 vs. $14,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Michigan University than BGSU ($15,826 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Michigan University are 10.4% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,396 vs. $12,584)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Michigan University as Bowling Green State University Main Campus (95% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Michigan University students is 11.8% larger than aid received Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($9,945 vs. $8,898)

Eastern Michigan University vs. BGSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Michigan University (1029) is 17 points higher than at BGSU (1012)
  • Incoming Eastern Michigan University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at BGSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Eastern Michigan University (3.37)
  • Eastern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than BGSU (78.7%)

Eastern Michigan University vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eastern Michigan University 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 Eastern Michigan University.

  • The graduation rate at BGSU is higher than Eastern Michigan University (58% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn on average $2,000 more per year than Eastern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $41,600)
  • Eastern Michigan University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than BGSU graduates. ($25,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Eastern Michigan University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than BGSU graduates. ($263 vs. $268)
  • More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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