GVSU vs. BGSU

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Bowling Green State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or BGSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Grand Valley State University vs. Bowling Green State University Main Campus comparison
Grand Valley State University Bowling Green State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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Overview

GVSU BGSU
Location Allendale, MI Bowling Green, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 21,648 16,920
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #728
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu bgsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU BGSU
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $11,272
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $19,845
Room & Board $10,140 $12,584
Avg Net Price $17,105 $20,485
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $8,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 95%

Admission

GVSU BGSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 17,447
Admitted 15,474 13,723
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 78.7%
Enrolled % 25% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/25
SAT Range 960/1210 990/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2024 Jul 15, 2024

Academics

GVSU BGSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

GVSU BGSU
Graduation Rate 63% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $268

Diversity

GVSU BGSU
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 78%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

GVSU BGSU
% In-State 91% 88%
% Out-of-State 8% 11%

Campus

GVSU BGSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than BGSU based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 16,920 students)

GVSU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or BGSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 23.8% more expensive to attend than BGSU for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $11,272.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.1% higher at GVSU than Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($19,856.00 vs. $19,845.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than BGSU ($17,105 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 24.1% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,140 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than Grand Valley State University (95% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students is 1% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($8,898 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. BGSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or BGSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BGSU or GVSU .

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 78 points higher than at BGSU (1012)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at BGSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at BGSU (3.6)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than BGSU (78.7%)

GVSU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or BGSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between BGSU and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus (63% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than BGSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $43,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than BGSU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than BGSU graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/