WMU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI 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 WMU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Western Michigan 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: Western Michigan University 16:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

WMU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU 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 Western Michigan University than BGSU ($17,331 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 16.1% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,174 vs. $14,508).
• Western Michigan University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BGSU (about $792 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at BGSU than at Western Michigan University (about $3,414 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowling Green State University Main Campus than at Western Michigan University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($11,048 vs. $9,310).

WMU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU 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 WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is the same as at BGSU (1110).
• Incoming WMU 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: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); 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 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than BGSU (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

WMU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU 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 Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than BGSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates have a $633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, BGSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BGSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.