Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, Ohio · Public · 81.0% acceptance rate

ROI Score: 32/100 · Poor Value

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Poor Value

ROI Score

Earnings Premium

25(0.13x)

Payback Period

29(18.3 yr)

Debt / Earnings

20(0.75)

Completion Rate

66(64%)

Repayment Rate

32(67%)

Quick Numbers

In-state tuition + fees	$14,460/yr
Out-of-state tuition + fees	$22,448/yr
Average net price	$24,022/yr
Total 4-year cost (net)	$96,088
Median earnings (10yr post-entry)	$47,896
Median earnings (6yr post-entry)	$33,500
Median debt at graduation	$25,000
Estimated monthly loan payment	$265
Estimated payback period	18.3 years
6-year graduation rate	63.7%
Undergraduate enrollment	12,812

Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/Year	4-Year Est.
$0 - $30,000	$18,396	$73,584
$30,001 - $48,000	$18,547	$74,188
$48,001 - $75,000	$21,820	$87,280
$75,001 - $110,000	$25,741	$102,964
$110,001+	$27,414	$109,656

Earnings by Major

Top 10 most popular majors at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus with available earnings data.

Major	Median Earnings	Debt	Debt/Earnings	Grade	Graduates
Special Education and Teaching	$45,224	$27,000	0.70	C	203
Teacher Education	$45,168	$26,000	0.65	C	139
Psychology	$46,481	$25,295	0.90	D	127
Kinesiology and Exercise Science	$52,818	$25,024	0.78	D	124
Business Administration, Management, and Operations	$79,291	$25,000	0.41	B	122
Biology	$47,131	$26,000	0.84	D	121
Marketing	$65,926	$24,250	0.51	C+	102
Registered Nursing	$78,798	$25,848	0.38	B	101
Education, Other	$45,147	$27,000	0.89	D	98
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$52,068	$26,000	0.71	D	92

Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.

The Full Financial Picture

The sticker price at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is $14,460/year ($22,448/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,022/year, or roughly $96,088 over four years.

That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,396/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,414/year.

The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $47,896 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.75 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.

How Graduates Do

Earnings

6 years after entry$33,500

-$1,500 vs. HS grad

10 years after entry$47,896

+$12,896 vs. HS grad

Annual earnings premium$12,896

Over median HS graduate ($35,000)

Loan Repayment

Metric	This School	Nat'l Avg
1-year repayment	61.3%	52.0%
3-year repayment	66.9%	62.0%
5-year repayment	58.3%	68.0%
7-year repayment	68.5%	72.0%

Completion Rate

0%National avg: 60.0%100%

63.7%

6-year rate

Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance rate	81.0%
SAT Math (25th-75th)	500-600
SAT Reading (25th-75th)	500-610
ACT Composite (25th-75th)	19-26
Enrollment	12,812
Pell Grant recipients	23.1%
Avg faculty salary (monthly)	$10,477

Compared to Similar Schools

Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.

School	ROI	Net Price	10yr Earnings	Debt	Completion
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus (this school)	32	$24,022	$47,896	$25,000	63.7%
University of Akron Wayne College	48	$6,032	$46,600	$23,250	18.5%
University of Akron Main Campus	38	$13,946	$46,600	$23,250	51.9%
Morgan State University	34	$14,985	$50,698	$27,250	40.9%
Arkansas State University	33	$12,366	$42,617	$20,500	55.4%
New Mexico State University-Main Campus	31	$8,889	$39,067	$17,095	55.2%

The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up

Poor Value

The financial data raises serious concerns about Bowling Green State University-Main Campus. With a net cost of $24,022 per year and median graduate earnings of only $47,896 ten years out, the payback period stretches to 18.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.

Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.

Median debt of $25,000 against $47,896 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.

Rankings & Links

Best ROI in Ohio Best ROI Public Schools Best ROI Overall Special Education and Teaching Salary Data

Guides & Tools

Calculate your ROI for Bowling Green State →Compare Bowling Green to other schools →Is college worth it in 2026? →How to compare financial aid offers →How much student debt is too much? →State school vs private ROI →The real cost of college in 2026 →

Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)

Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25

Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.

Methodology Data Sources