BGSU vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

BGSU vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or FGCU? 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 Florida Gulf Coast University than BGSU ($12,863 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 23.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,107 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 136.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $8,342 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at FGCU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $2,714 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Florida Gulf Coast University (96% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,310 vs. $8,515).

BGSU vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BGSU or FGCU? 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 FGCU and BGSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 10 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming BGSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at FGCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); FGCU - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

BGSU vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and FGCU? 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 Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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.