Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,896 — 11% below average — while paying $24,022/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bowling Green State University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #112 of 141 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #112 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | 32 | $24,022 | $47,896 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in OH.
Best Programs at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is Management Information Systems and Services at $61,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $17,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Information Systems and Services graduate from Bowling Green State University-Main Campus earns $61,700, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $17,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,022/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,700 | $61,700 | N/A |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $61,100 | $61,100 | N/A |
| Construction Engineering | $60,900 | $60,900 | $25,656 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $60,000 | $60,000 | N/A |
| Computer Engineering | $56,600 | $56,600 | $26,125 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $56,200 | $56,200 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,900 | $55,900 | $23,575 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,600 | $55,600 | $22,437 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,600 | $54,600 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,100 | $50,100 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $49,100 | $49,100 | $26,000 |
| Economics | $45,000 | $45,000 | $28,125 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,900 | $43,900 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $37,700 | $37,700 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,200 | $35,200 | $25,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,200 | $34,200 | $27,812 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,800 | $33,800 | $26,117 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,500 | $33,500 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,600 | $32,600 | $26,187 |
| Interior Architecture | $32,000 | $32,000 | $26,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,000 | $32,000 | $26,949 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,900 | $31,900 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $31,700 | $31,700 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Gerontology | $30,300 | $30,300 | $27,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,187 |
| Sociology | $29,100 | $29,100 | $31,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $28,400 | $28,400 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,100 | $28,100 | $25,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,900 | $27,900 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,900 | $27,900 | $31,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $27,300 | $27,300 | $27,000 |
| Journalism | $26,600 | $26,600 | $27,000 |
| Education, Other | $26,500 | $26,500 | $27,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $25,630 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $24,300 | $24,300 | $25,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,600 | $23,600 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,200 | $23,200 | $28,875 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,000 | $19,000 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $17,900 | $17,900 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $17,500 | $17,500 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bowling Green, OH
- Student Body
- 12,812 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,022
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,896
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000