Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Acceptance Rate
Bowling Green, Ohio · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 18,629
- Admitted
- 15,016
- Yield
- 20.7%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate has risen from 53.4% in 2014–15 to 80.6% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 14,509 to 18,629 (+28%) over that period.
Its 80.6% rate makes Bowling Green State University-Main Campus more selective than about 41% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 54 tracked Ohio schools, it is more selective than about 35%.
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 20.7% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 14,509 | 7,743 | 53.4% | 3,030 |
| 2015–16 | 14,632 | 10,635 | 72.7% | 3,392 |
| 2016–17 | 15,291 | 11,629 | 76.1% | 3,545 |
| 2017–18 | 15,629 | 11,441 | 73.2% | 3,344 |
| 2018–19 | 17,034 | 12,311 | 72.3% | 3,273 |
| 2019–20 | 17,179 | 12,338 | 71.8% | 3,390 |
| 2020–21 | 17,341 | 13,057 | 75.3% | 3,081 |
| 2021–22 | 18,295 | 14,404 | 78.7% | 2,760 |
| 2022–23 | 17,447 | 13,723 | 78.7% | 2,937 |
| 2023–24 | 18,629 | 15,016 | 80.6% | 3,114 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,153 | 9,073 | 81.4% |
| Men | 7,476 | 5,943 | 79.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 510–620 | 18% |
| SAT Math | 510–610 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–26 | 68% |
How Bowling Green State compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate is 80.6% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (15,016 admitted of 18,629 applicants).
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus test optional?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus received 18,629 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 15,016.
What SAT score do you need for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?
Admitted students at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus typically scored 510–620 on SAT Reading/Writing and 510–610 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus getting harder to get into?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 53.4% in 2014–15 to 80.6% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.bgsu.edu/.