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Bowling Green State University

#314 in US ranking Bowling Green, OH
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Bowling Green State University award
Bowling Green State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$31,674
Tuition & fees
$15,074
Avg. aid
$10,060
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
81%
SAT range
1000–1210
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
64%
Median salary
$44,507
1 yr after graduation

What does Bowling Green State University offer in terms of athletics?

The Bowling Green Falcons compete in NCAA Division I athletics. BGSU is associated with the Mid-American Conference for its principal varsity program, while men's ice hockey competes in a separate hockey conference. Conference membership and sport sponsorship can change, so prospective athletes should check the current roster for their sport.

Representative varsity sports include football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and ice hockey. Students who do not join a varsity team have different options through club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation. Those activities vary in competitiveness, travel, and time commitment; a sport's appearance among campus activities does not necessarily mean BGSU sponsors it as an NCAA varsity team.

What student groups and Associations are available at Bowling Green State University?

BGSU has student organizations spanning academics, professional interests, politics, performance, recreation, and service. Examples in institutional listings include Bowling Green Role Playing Gamers, BGSU College Democrats, University Dance Alliance, the Business Innovation and Technology Group, and the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi.

Student government, cultural and identity-based groups, and other interest organizations provide additional ways to participate. Because recognition and activity can change from year to year, students looking for a particular group should check the current organization directory and its meeting information. Joining a recognized organization is distinct from using a university service or playing on a varsity team.

Who studies at Bowling Green State University?

BGSU enrolled about 17,594 students in the reported institutional count, making it a sizable university with both new entrants and continuing students. The reported first-time undergraduate entering group numbered 3,521, and 492 students entered as transfers.

Its enrollment is predominantly regional: about 84% of students were Ohio residents, while roughly 13% came from other U.S. states and 3% from abroad. Traditional college ages account for much of the student body, but the age figures also show enrollment among students in their late twenties and older. Those counts matter for applicants seeking either a conventional residential experience or classmates returning to education later in life.

Reported race and ethnicity counts include White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, multiracial, and other students. Such categories describe enrollment, not the experiences or interests of individuals. Prospective students may find the availability of relevant organizations and support services more informative than assuming campus culture from demographic figures alone.

How does student life look like at Bowling Green State University?

Everyday life at BGSU combines a residential university campus with a substantial commuting population. About 41% of students are reported as living on campus, so the experience of a residence-hall student may differ from that of someone traveling in for classes and leaving afterward.

Fall Welcome and other scheduled programs give new students opportunities to meet peers and learn campus routines. Beyond classes, BGSU reports a student newspaper, radio and television outlets, theater and music groups, and a marching band. Recreation, a student health clinic, and personal or psychological counseling are among the available supports. Students comparing campuses should pay attention to service locations and hours - particularly if they plan to commute, take evening classes, or study at Firelands rather than the main campus.

What libraries are available to students at Bowling Green State University?

William T. Jerome Library is BGSU's main library on the Bowling Green campus. It provides study space and access to academic materials that extend beyond books on its shelves, including digital research resources.

Students can reserve study rooms and seek research help when selecting sources or using databases. Library collections and borrowing services can be particularly useful when a required article or book is not immediately available. Online students and those away from the main campus should check remote-access instructions for licensed resources. Reported library information does not indicate a study area that remains open 24 hours a day throughout the week, so students who need late-night space should check current building hours.

Bowling Green State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

17594

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

3567

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

762 full time, 385 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Bowling Green State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 14,783
Graduate: 2,811

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 13,675
Part-time: 3,919

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 2,110
Men: 1,457

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 833
Black or African American: 936
White: 10,525
American Indian or Alaska Native: 16
Asian: 147
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 5
Two or more races: 548
Unknown: 359

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Bowling Green State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

MenMenMen

Basketball

BothBothMen

Bowling

–BothWomen

Cross-country running

Both–Men

Equestrian sports

–Both–

Fencing

–Both–

Football

Men–Men

Golf

BothBothMen

Gymnastics

WomenBoth–

Ice hockey

MenBothMen

Lacrosse

–Both–

Racquetball

–Both–

Rugby

–Both–

Skiing (downhill)

–BothWomen

Soccer

BothBothBoth

Softball

WomenWomen–

Swimming and diving

WomenBothWomen

Tennis

WomenBoth–

Track and field

WomenBoth–

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenBoth–

Water polo

–BothWomen

Wrestling

–Both–

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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