IU Northwest vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University Northwest 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: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

IU Northwest vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than BGSU ($5,745 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 24.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,972 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 71.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $6,036 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at IU Northwest than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $363 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Indiana University Northwest (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($9,310 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 60 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at BGSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

IU Northwest vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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).

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $970 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,030 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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.