SAU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, 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 SAU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

SAU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU 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 Spring Arbor University than BGSU ($21,067 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 21.1% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,440 vs. $14,508).
• Spring Arbor University is 135.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $19,554 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at SAU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $11,566 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 156.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($23,877 vs. $9,310).

SAU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU 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 SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 20 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; 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: SAU - Test optional; BGSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

SAU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $1,957 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.