IU South Bend vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University South Bend in South Bend, 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 South Bend based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 4,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU South Bend vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 South Bend than BGSU ($9,003 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 29.8% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,184 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 71.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $6,036 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at IU South Bend 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 South Bend (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($9,310 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 40 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming IU South Bend 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 South Bend 950/1190; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

IU South Bend vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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 South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $1,470 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($24,530 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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.