ISU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, 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.

Illinois State University is larger than BGSU based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 17,594 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois State 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: Illinois State University 19:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

ISU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Illinois State University than BGSU ($21,369 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 19% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,754 vs. $14,508).
• Illinois State University is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $1,684 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at ISU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $5,762 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University as at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (96% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($12,974 vs. $9,310).

ISU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1100).
• Incoming ISU 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: Illinois State University 990/1210; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - 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: ISU Apr 1, 2027; BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

ISU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.