BGSU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

BGSU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or ETSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than BGSU ($16,286 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 27.3% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,554 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 38.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $3,988 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.6% higher at BGSU than at East Tennessee State University (about $7,926 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at East Tennessee State University (96% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($10,101 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BGSU or ETSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ETSU and BGSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 20 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming BGSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ETSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

BGSU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and ETSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.