Northern Illinois vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, 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 Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Illinois 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: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

Northern Illinois vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois University than BGSU ($14,243 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 2.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($14,160 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $1,212 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.4% higher at BGSU than at Northern Illinois University (about $9,200 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($14,387 vs. $9,310).

Northern Illinois vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 50 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at BGSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

Northern Illinois vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $2,141 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($246 vs. $268).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.