Tour Tuesday: Bowling Green State University
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground!
Bowling Green State University: Falcons, Futures, and Finding Purpose
Quick Look
About 20,000 students overall, including the main campus and the Firelands branch campus in Huron, Ohio.
Students come from all 50 states and ~70 countries; around 20-25% are domestic students of color or international.
85-87% live on campus; first 2 years required unless you live within ~50 miles.
BGSU may be the cheapest out-of-state charge of any public school I’ve seen in the entire country.
Popular majors: aviation studies; business; pre-nursing; early childhood education; psychology; criminal justice; music education; and a “deciding student” program for those unsure of their major. (Pathway/deciding students can explore, then specialize.)
Location & Campus Life
Bowling Green is a college town with enough small-town feel to make campus a close community, but big enough that you won’t feel stuck. The main campus is large and leafy, yet facilities are close, and student life is active. If you love living in a place where campus is your world for a couple of years, but you can slip into city or regional activities occasionally, this place balances that nicely.
Living on campus is the norm, especially early on. The requirement for first and second years to live on campus (with some distance exceptions) means many students settle into dorm life, make friends quickly, and take advantage of what the university provides: dining, study spaces, involvement in clubs, etc.
Academics & Majors
One thing I really like about BGSU is how much choice there is - and how much room for students who aren’t totally sure what they want to do. The “deciding student program” (or pathway program) helps folks explore majors without being boxed in too early. For most students, choosing after a year or two doesn’t delay graduation too much, except for certain programs like aviation or music which have more specialized prerequisites or audition/pilot training requirements.
Some signature or standout areas:
Aviation Studies - rare to find this in many schools. If you’re excited about flying or aviation support careers, this gives some compelling hands-on opportunities.
Resort & Attraction (Theme Park) Management - unusual major that speaks to BGSU’s flexibility and willingness to serve niche interests.
Solid programs in sport management, business, psychology, education, justice, and music.
The Honors College gives additional challenge, smaller classes, and more close faculty interaction. You apply to BGSU, then separately apply to the Honors program (often with an essay deadline around mid-December).
Admissions & Fit
Here’s what tends to matter for BGSU:
GPA minimum of ~2.5 for admission, though stronger academic performance helps a lot - especially for scholarships or more competitive majors.
Test scores (SAT/ACT) are optional, which helps students who shine in other areas like grades, extracurriculars, or leadership.
For non-Ohio/non-resident students, there are ways to reduce costs via scholarship/academic merit, especially if GPA, test scores, etc., are strong.
If you’re someone who wants to try things out first, who maybe doesn’t have a crystal-clear idea of what major you want, BGSU is built to support that exploration while still keeping a path forward.
Athletics
Bowling Green takes athletics seriously - not just the varsity level, but in offering all students chances to compete, grow, and belong through a wide variety of sports.
NCAA Division I Sports: BGSU competes in the Mid-American Conference for most sports. That includes football (FBS level), men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, softball, cross country, golf, track & field, volleyball, etc. The men’s ice hockey team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
Facilities & Varsity Experience: Big-stadium games, well-maintained arenas, strong fan traditions (e.g. Battle of I-75 vs. Toledo in football), and coaching staffs that support both athletic and academic success.
Robust Club Sports and Competitive Options for All: If varsity isn’t your path (or even if it is), there’s a thriving club sports scene. BGSU sponsors about 17 men’s and women’s club teams, plus 24+ co-ed clubs (sports like rugby, powerlifting, equestrian, curling, dodgeball, etc.). Many clubs have regular seasons, travel, tryouts, and strong student engagement.
Culture & Fit for Athletes: Club sports offer chances to keep playing what you love (competitive but less pressure than varsity), make friends, stay active, and build leadership & time-management skills.
Cost & Scholarships
Here are some of the numbers families should have in mind. Costs vary a lot depending on whether you live on campus, are from Ohio, or are non-resident/international.
Resident (Ohio) student, living on campus: Total cost of attendance with tuition, fees, housing, food, books, misc is somewhere around $26,000-$33,000/year, depending on living situation.
Non-Ohio / Non-resident student: Adding the non-resident fee, housing, etc., the cost goes up -but only to about the mid-$30,000s for full on-campus living. AND there are scholarships availablet to cut that additional out of state cost down to even less money. For example, cost of attendance estimate is ~$33,400 (tuition + fees + room + board) for non-Ohio non-resident with on-campus housing.
This may be the cheapest out-of-state charge of any public school I’ve seen in the entire country.
For specific programs like aviation, cost tends to be higher than the baseline because of extra fees, labs, aircraft hours etc. Example: for non-Ohio residents in aviation with on-campus housing + basic meal plan, the total can be ~$32,700 (or more), depending on plan.
Merit-based scholarships are real here, and many are automatic & renewable. Non-resident students with good academics can often greatly reduce the “non-resident fee” via scholarships or aid. The honors college also offers scholarship consideration.
Final Thoughts: Who Would Thrive at BGSU
If I were walking you through campus, here’s who I feel would bloom at Bowling Green:
Students who appreciate a hands-on, exploratory academic journey - you don’t need to decide immediately, and support is there for trying things out.
Those who want community - living on campus early, lots of student groups, a strong sense of “belonging.”
Folks looking for majors that are practical and varied: aviation, education, business, creative arts, early childhood, and criminal justice.
Students who are mindful of cost but want a school that gives real value: scholarship opportunities, optional testing, merit aid, and a range of financial supports.
And those who thrive in places that are balanced: enough size to have diversity and options, but not so huge you feel lost
If you enjoy being part of a campus that’s energetic, where you can explore your path, get involved, and not feel rushed into a narrow track, BGSU is absolutely worth your consideration.
