IWU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 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: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

IWU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than BGSU ($23,402 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 25.1% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($10,868 vs. $14,508).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 123.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $17,892 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at IWU than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (about $9,904 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $22,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 129.9% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($21,405 vs. $9,310).

IWU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 40 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BGSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - 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 IWU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BGSU (3.6).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

IWU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Bowling Green State University Main Campus's (58%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $1,896 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($24,104 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($249 vs. $268).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.