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Kent State EIU Northern Illinois ISU University of Toledo Cleveland State Ohio University Ohio State Miami UC GVSU Southern Illinois University| Western Illinois University | Bowling Green State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Western Illinois University | BGSU | ||
| Location | Macomb, IL | Bowling Green, OH | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 7,073 | 17,027 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #663 | #687 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wiu.edu | bgsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Western Illinois University | BGSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,801 | $11,611 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,801 | $19,600 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,920 | $11,784 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,168 | $20,987 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,620 | $8,795 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 53% | 94% |
Admission |
Western Illinois University | BGSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,479 | 18,629 | ||
| Admitted | 6,356 | 15,016 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 80.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.2% | 20.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.45 | 3.6 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 20/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 880/1090 | 1020/1230 | ||
| 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 | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 17:1 | ||
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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 | 12% | 7% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 11% | ||
| 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 | 90% | 87% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 12% | ||
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 (17,027 students vs. 7,073 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 ($11,611.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- Out of state tuition is 100% higher at BGSU than Western Illinois University ($19,600.00 vs. $9,801.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than BGSU ($12,168 vs. $20,987)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.9% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,920 vs. $11,784)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than Western Illinois University (94% vs. 53%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 77.6% larger than aid received Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($15,620 vs. $8,795)
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 (80.6%) 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/