Oakland vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Oakland University in Rochester Hills, 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.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Oakland 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: Oakland University 17:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

Oakland vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland 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 Oakland University than BGSU ($12,208 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 24.6% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,932 vs. $14,508).
• Oakland University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $802 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Oakland than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $740 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Oakland University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 39.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($12,988 vs. $9,310).

Oakland vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland 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 Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 20 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

Oakland vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland 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 Oakland students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.