CMU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

CMU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or BGSU? 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 Central Michigan University than BGSU ($17,575 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 13.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,564 vs. $14,508).
• Central Michigan University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $300 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.1% higher at BGSU than at Central Michigan University (about $7,688 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Central Michigan University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 40.1% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($13,042 vs. $9,310).

CMU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 30 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

CMU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and BGSU? 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 Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $900 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BGSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.