Bowling Green State University-Main Campus (BGSU) vs Ball State

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus and Ball State University, both esteemed public universities in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Bowling Green boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Ball State, on the other hand, has a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating a strong commitment to student success. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs, Bowling Green excels in fields like business, engineering, and education, while Ball State shines in areas such as nursing, health professions, and music. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, tuition fees, and campus life, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Ball State University	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Muncie, Indiana	Bowling Green, Ohio
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Fringe
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	73.0%	78.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	68.2%	78.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45
SAT range	1010 - 1210	1020 - 1210
ACT range	20 - 27	20 - 25
Students submitting SAT score	42.0%	17.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	64.0%
Total number of applicants	22,947	18,295
Total number of admissions given out	15,642	14,404
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,278	2,760
Yield rate	21.0%	19.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,254 Out of state: $42,488	In state: $26,189 Out of state: $34,177
Average net price	$12,968	$16,684
Tuition	In state: $9,628 Out of state: $26,862	In state: $10,776 Out of state: $18,764
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,862 Meal plan: $6,282	Room/dormitory: $7,170 Meal plan: $4,804
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $11,442	96.0% Average amount $7,888
Students receiving federal student loan	88.0% Average amount $5,451	57.0% Average amount $5,305
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $13,381	10.0% Average amount $13,247

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,898 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	14,465 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%
Graduate students	5,421 Men 23.0% Women 77.0%	3,180 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	9.4%	11.3%
International students	1.4%	4.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	7,531	5,911
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Indiana Illinois Ohio Michigan Florida	Ohio Michigan Illinois Indiana New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Business Liberal Arts Psychology	Education Health Professions Business Visual & Performing Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.0%	62.5%
Dropout rate	11.4%	13.3%
Transferred out	20.1%	23.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,451 Year 2: $92,124 Year 3: $94,146 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,551 Year 2: $75,989 Year 3: $81,236 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,545 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $77,057 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,885 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $75,003 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,368 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $65,967 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,067 Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $64,046 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,195 Year 2: $54,296 Year 3: $63,441 Business/Commerce, General (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $62,410 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,157 Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $60,714 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,299 Year 2: $52,357 Year 3: $59,898	Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $84,102 Year 3: $83,744 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,302 Year 2: $79,688 Year 3: $76,011 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $62,772 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $75,005 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,793 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $74,656 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,119 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $74,156 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $65,131 Year 3: $71,653 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,158 Year 2: $62,154 Year 3: $70,152 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,435 Year 2: $64,829 Year 3: $68,794 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,054 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $67,036 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $65,091

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and Ball State University (Ball State)?

BGSU and Ball State are both excellent public universities in Ohio and Indiana, respectively, but they have distinct characteristics. BGSU is known for its strong programs in education, music, and media, and it has a more traditional college town feel. Ball State is recognized for its architecture, telecommunications, and entrepreneurial programs, and it offers a more comprehensive range of graduate programs. BGSU's campus is generally considered more compact and walkable, while Ball State's campus is larger and more spread out.
Which university is larger, Bowling Green State University or Ball State University?

Ball State University generally has a larger student body than Bowling Green State University. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, Ball State typically enrolls more undergraduate and graduate students overall.
How do the academic reputations of BGSU and Ball State compare?

Both BGSU and Ball State are regionally accredited universities with solid academic reputations. BGSU is particularly well-regarded for its programs in education, music performance, and journalism. Ball State is known for its architecture, telecommunications, and business programs. The 'best' reputation depends on your specific field of study.
What is the campus environment like at Bowling Green State University versus Ball State University?

BGSU offers a classic college town experience with a strong sense of community. It's known for its active student life and numerous campus events. Ball State has a more diverse campus environment with a wider range of student organizations and activities. Muncie, Indiana, where Ball State is located, offers a mix of urban and suburban amenities.
How do the costs of attending BGSU and Ball State compare?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency status and program of study. Generally, as public universities, both BGSU and Ball State offer lower tuition rates for in-state residents. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to explore available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What are the strengths of Bowling Green State University's academic programs?

Bowling Green State University excels in several academic areas, particularly education (teacher preparation), music (performance and education), media and communication, and the visual arts. They also have strong programs in business and the sciences.
What are the strengths of Ball State University's academic programs?

Ball State University is highly regarded for its programs in architecture, telecommunications, journalism, business (especially entrepreneurship), and education. Their immersive learning approach provides students with hands-on experience in their fields.
Which university is better for students interested in a career in education?

Both BGSU and Ball State have strong education programs. BGSU has a long-standing reputation for teacher preparation, while Ball State offers a variety of innovative education programs and immersive learning experiences. Consider researching the specific programs and faculty at each university to determine which best aligns with your career goals.
How do the athletic programs at BGSU and Ball State compare?

Both BGSU and Ball State are NCAA Division I schools and compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Both universities offer a variety of varsity sports for men and women. The strength of specific sports programs can vary from year to year, so it's best to check the latest rankings and performance records.
What are the surrounding cities like for BGSU and Ball State?

Bowling Green, Ohio, is a classic college town with a vibrant downtown area and a strong sense of community. It's located a short drive from Toledo, Ohio. Muncie, Indiana, is a larger city with a mix of urban and suburban amenities. It's located about an hour northeast of Indianapolis.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

Both BGSU and Ball State offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. BGSU has a strong tradition of campus events and a close-knit student community. Ball State offers a more diverse range of activities, reflecting its larger student body and urban location. Both universities have active Greek life, intramural sports, and student government organizations.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between BGSU and Ball State?

Both BGSU and Ball State offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Ball State's emphasis on immersive learning often leads to strong internship opportunities. BGSU also has strong connections with employers in Northwest Ohio and beyond. It's recommended to research the specific career services and internship opportunities within your chosen field of study at each university.

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