BGSU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1; Radford University 14:1.

BGSU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or RU? 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 Radford University than BGSU ($16,749 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 13.8% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,504 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $1,912 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at RU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $3,185 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Radford University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($11,870 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 60 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming BGSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); RU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 14.4% at RU.

BGSU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and RU? 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 Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.