Western Illinois University vs. BGSU

Western Illinois University and Bowling Green State University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 81%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1110.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $24,283 at BGSU.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs BGSU 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs BGSU $43,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
BGSU81%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BGSU higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
BGSU1000-1210
Average net price
Western Illinois University $10,075 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
BGSU$24,283
In-state tuition
BGSU $804 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
BGSU$14,460
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $7,184 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
BGSU$22,448
Graduation rate
BGSU +5 pts
Western Illinois University53%
BGSU58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$2,400
Western Illinois University$46,000
BGSU$43,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • BGSU 21,153
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • BGSU 17,125
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • BGSU 81%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • BGSU 20.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • BGSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • BGSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • BGSU 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • BGSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • BGSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • BGSU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • BGSU 1000-1210
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • BGSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • BGSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • BGSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • BGSU $14,460
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • BGSU $22,448
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • BGSU $14,508
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • BGSU $24,283
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • BGSU $9,310
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • BGSU 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • BGSU 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • BGSU $43,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • BGSU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • BGSU $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • BGSU $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • BGSU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • BGSU
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • BGSU Bowling Green, OH
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • BGSU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • BGSU 17,594
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • BGSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • BGSU #690

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Illinois 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: Western Illinois University 12:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 22% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,320 vs. $14,508).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at BGSU than at Western Illinois University (about $7,184 more per year; $22,448 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Western Illinois University (96% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($14,994 vs. $9,310).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BGSU than at Western Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at BGSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BGSU average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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