BGSU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BGSU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BGSU or SVU? 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 Bowling Green State University Main Campus than SVU ($24,283 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 31.8% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($9,894 vs. $14,508).
• Southern Virginia University is 47.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $6,820 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at BGSU than at Southern Virginia University (about $1,168 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($10,041 vs. $9,310).

BGSU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 10 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SVU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at BGSU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

BGSU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BGSU and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $2,346 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.