BGSU vs. Marshall University

Deciding between Bowling Green State University Main Campus and Marshall University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Marshall University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • BGSU Bowling Green, OH
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • BGSU Distant Town
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • BGSU 17,594
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • BGSU Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BGSU #690
  • Marshall University #868
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BGSU -
  • Marshall University -
  • Status
  • BGSU Non-profit
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BGSU
  • Marshall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BGSU $14,460
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BGSU $22,448
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & Board
  • BGSU $14,508
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average Net Price
  • BGSU $24,283
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BGSU $9,310
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BGSU 96%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BGSU 21,153
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • BGSU 17,125
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BGSU 81%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Enrolled
  • BGSU 20.6%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BGSU 1110
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • BGSU 22
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • BGSU 3.6
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BGSU B+
  • Marshall University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • BGSU Moderate
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • BGSU
  • Marshall University
  • ACT Range
  • BGSU 19/26
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • BGSU 1000/1210
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BGSU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Marshall University Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • BGSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BGSU 17:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BGSU
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BGSU 58%
  • Marshall University 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BGSU $43,600
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BGSU 53%
  • Marshall University 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BGSU $26,000
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BGSU $268
  • Marshall University $239
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BGSU 43%
  • Marshall University 34%
  • % Women
  • BGSU 57%
  • Marshall University 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BGSU Low
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • BGSU No
  • Marshall University No
  • % White
  • BGSU 78%
  • Marshall University 84%
  • % Asian
  • BGSU 1%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Black
  • BGSU 10%
  • Marshall University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • BGSU 4%
  • Marshall University 2%
  • % Native American
  • BGSU 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BGSU 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BGSU 3%
  • Marshall University 3%
  • % International
  • BGSU 2%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BGSU 2%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BGSU 84%
  • Marshall University 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BGSU 13%
  • Marshall University 23%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • BGSU Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • BGSU No
  • Marshall University No
  • Meal Plan
  • BGSU Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • BGSU No
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • BGSU No
  • Marshall University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH with Marshall University in Huntington, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 11,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Marshall University 16:1.

BGSU vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University than BGSU ($8,076 vs. $24,283).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 8.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($13,292 vs. $14,508).
  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 57.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $5,298 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $9,162.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at BGSU than at Marshall University (about $2,106 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $20,342.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (97% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 44.4% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($13,448 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 80 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
  • Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Marshall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Marshall University 910/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Marshall University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Marshall University - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027; Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at BGSU (3.6).
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than BGSU (81%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

BGSU vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and Marshall University? 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 Marshall University's (44%).
  • Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $2,866 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($23,134 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($239 vs. $268).
  • More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)

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.