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#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

BGSU Admission Requirements

Bowling Green, Ohio

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Your chances of getting into Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.7%
Admission Difficulty for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at BGSU is 78.7%.  Its admission rate is the 37th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into BGSU and can you get accepted?

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 13,723 out of the 17,447 who applied were admitted.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into BGSU?

79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Bowling Green State University Main Campus you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.6 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1100 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

BGSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.6

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Bowling Green State University Main Campus?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into BGSU are to have around a 3.6 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.6 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as BGSU accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at BGSU is 3.6 on the 4.0 scale. 20% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #21 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since BGSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Bowling Green State University Main Campus students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 20.5% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.4% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.6% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.9% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.6% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 11.7% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.2% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.1% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

BGSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Bowling Green State University Main Campus. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 19% of students submitted SAT scores and 72% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

990-1200

Applicants Submitting SAT 

19%
SAT Scores for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 490
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 990
SAT Scores for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 600
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1200
Average SAT Score 1100

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Bowling Green State University Main Campus?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at BGSU is 1100 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 990-1200. Students who get into Bowling Green State University Main Campus score in the top 62 percent of all SAT test takers..  BGSU ranks #29 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1100 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. BGSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 990 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 990, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 880, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1095, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1200 and Above Good >88%
1095 to 1200 Avg + 79%-88%
990 to 1095 Avg - 66%-79%
885 to 990 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 885 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

BGSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

72%
ACT Scores for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 24
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into BGSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to BGSU is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 25.  The school ranks #26 in Ohio for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 72 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Bowling Green State University Main Campus.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Bowling Green State University Main Campus is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into BGSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 25 ACT score.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >89%
22 to 25 Avg + 79%-89%
20 to 22 Avg - 69%-79%
18 to 20 Reach 57%-69%
Less than 18 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of Bowling Green State University Main Campus freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bowling Green State University Main Campus students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18.9%
Top 25% of class 42.7%
Top 50% of class 76%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,588 6,859 17,447
Accepted 8,451 5,272 13,723
Acceptance Rate 80% 77% 79%
Enrolled 1,720 1,217 2,937
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 20% 23% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

233

Applicants have 233 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jul 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bowling Green State University Main Campus is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bowling Green State University Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bowling Green State University Main Campus Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Bowling Green State University Main Campus is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.6 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1100 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Bowling Green State University Main Campus often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=201441 IPEDS survey data for Bowling Green State University Main Campus.

Last updated February 24, 2024