GVSU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than BGSU based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 17,594 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

GVSU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or BGSU? 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 Grand Valley State University than BGSU ($17,198 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 20.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,550 vs. $14,508).
• Grand Valley State University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $680 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at BGSU than at Grand Valley State University (about $900 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Grand Valley State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($11,188 vs. $9,310).

GVSU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 40 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU 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: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027; BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

GVSU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and BGSU? 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).

• Grand Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.