Bowling Green State University Main Campus campus

BGSU Admission Requirements

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Bowling Green, OH
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#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

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BGSU Admission Overview

BGSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year BGSU admitted 81% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and SAT 1000-1210 / ACT 19-26. BGSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BGSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BGSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

81%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The BGSU acceptance rate is 81%. Last year, 17,125 of 21,153 applicants were admitted. That is the 42nd lowest acceptance rate in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

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

BGSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically attracts "A-" 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.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BGSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.6

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at BGSU typically have around a 3.6 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. BGSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

20% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #21 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Bowling Green State University Main Campus freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

BGSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1000-1210

Freshmen who sent SAT

21%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 500
Math 500
Composite 1000

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 610
Math 600
Composite 1210

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at BGSU typically score around a 1110 SAT (middle 50% 1000–1210) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 61st percentile nationally. BGSU ranks #29 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1000 to 1210

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

BGSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1110 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1210+	Above 75th	>89%
1110 to 1210	Avg +	81%-89%
1000 to 1110	Avg -	69%-81%
Below 1000	Below mid-50	<69%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BGSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

61%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 17
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 25
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at BGSU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. BGSU places #26 among colleges in Ohio for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to BGSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>90%
22 to 26	Avg +	81%-90%
19 to 22	Avg -	71%-81%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<71%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the BGSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	12,617	8,536	21,153
Accepted	10,329	6,796	17,125
Acceptance Rate	82%	80%	81%
Enrolled	2,097	1,424	3,521
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	21%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

317

Applicants have 317 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jul 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

BGSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 81% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1000-1210); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025