Western Illinois University vs. BGSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Bowling Green State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or BGSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kent State EIU Northern Illinois ISU University of Toledo Cleveland State Ohio University Ohio State Miami UC GVSU Southern Illinois University
Western Illinois University vs. Bowling Green State University Main Campus comparison
Western Illinois University Bowling Green State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Location Macomb, IL Bowling Green, OH
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 16,920
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #728
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu bgsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $11,272
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $19,845
Room & Board $10,500 $12,584
Avg Net Price $11,213 $20,485
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 17,447
Admitted 6,914 13,723
Acceptance Rate 75% 78.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/25
SAT Range 880/1090 990/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Graduation Rate 53% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $268

Diversity

 Western Illinois University BGSU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 78%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Western Illinois University BGSU
% In-State 89% 88%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

 Western Illinois University BGSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,920 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or BGSU?

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 18.5% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,272.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 108.6% higher at BGSU than Western Illinois University ($19,845.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than BGSU ($11,213 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 19.8% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,500 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than Western Illinois University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 75.7% larger than aid received Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($15,632 vs. $8,898)

Western Illinois University vs. BGSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or BGSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BGSU or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1012) is 42 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or BGSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between BGSU and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at BGSU is higher than Western Illinois University (58% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $2,400 more per year than BGSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $43,600)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $1,296 lower median federal student loan debt than BGSU graduates. ($24,704 vs. $26,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than BGSU graduates. ($255 vs. $268)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/