Elmhurst University vs. BGSU

Deciding between Elmhurst University and Bowling Green State University Main Campus? 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.

Elmhurst University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
  • BGSU Bowling Green, OH
  • Setting
  • Elmhurst University Large Suburban
  • BGSU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Elmhurst University 3,997
  • BGSU 17,594
  • Type
  • Elmhurst University Private 4 Year
  • BGSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elmhurst University #320
  • BGSU #690
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elmhurst University United Church of Christ
  • BGSU -
  • Status
  • Elmhurst University Non-profit
  • BGSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elmhurst University
  • BGSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • BGSU $14,460
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • BGSU $22,448
  • Room & Board
  • Elmhurst University $14,528
  • BGSU $14,508
  • Average Net Price
  • Elmhurst University $24,629
  • BGSU $24,283
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University $30,079
  • BGSU $9,310
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University 100%
  • BGSU 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elmhurst University 6,245
  • BGSU 21,153
  • Admitted
  • Elmhurst University 4,599
  • BGSU 17,125
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elmhurst University 73.6%
  • BGSU 81%
  • Enrolled
  • Elmhurst University 12.5%
  • BGSU 20.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elmhurst University 1130
  • BGSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elmhurst University 26
  • BGSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elmhurst University 3.59
  • BGSU 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elmhurst University B+
  • BGSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elmhurst University Challenging
  • BGSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elmhurst University Low
  • BGSU
  • ACT Range
  • Elmhurst University 23/30
  • BGSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Elmhurst University 990/1260
  • BGSU 1000/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elmhurst University Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • BGSU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Elmhurst University
  • BGSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elmhurst University 15:1
  • BGSU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elmhurst University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • BGSU
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elmhurst University 70%
  • BGSU 58%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elmhurst University $50,200
  • BGSU $43,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elmhurst University 72%
  • BGSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elmhurst University $21,500
  • BGSU $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elmhurst University $222
  • BGSU $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elmhurst University 35%
  • BGSU 43%
  • % Women
  • Elmhurst University 65%
  • BGSU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elmhurst University Medium
  • BGSU Low
  • HBCU
  • Elmhurst University No
  • BGSU No
  • % White
  • Elmhurst University 67%
  • BGSU 78%
  • % Asian
  • Elmhurst University 6%
  • BGSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Elmhurst University 5%
  • BGSU 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elmhurst University 17%
  • BGSU 4%
  • % Native American
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • BGSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • BGSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elmhurst University 3%
  • BGSU 3%
  • % International
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • BGSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elmhurst University 2%
  • BGSU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elmhurst University 82%
  • BGSU 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elmhurst University 18%
  • BGSU 13%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL 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 Elmhurst University based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 3,997 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elmhurst University is located in Elmhurst, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmhurst University 15:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

Elmhurst University vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst University 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 Bowling Green State University Main Campus than Elmhurst University ($24,283 vs. $24,629).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus are 0.1% lower than at Elmhurst University ($14,508 vs. $14,528).
  • Elmhurst University is 197.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $28,495 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $14,460.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 91.4% higher at Elmhurst University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $20,507 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $22,448.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmhurst University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst University students is 223.1% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($30,079 vs. $9,310).

Elmhurst University vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst University 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 Elmhurst University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmhurst University (1130) is 20 points higher than at BGSU (1110).
  • Incoming Elmhurst University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BGSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 990/1260; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 23/30; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elmhurst University - 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 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Elmhurst University (3.59).
  • BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Elmhurst University (73.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Elmhurst University vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

Elmhurst University vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elmhurst University 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).

  • Elmhurst University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
  • Graduates from Elmhurst University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmhurst University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elmhurst University graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Elmhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.