Bowling Green, OH · Private University
Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,896
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,081
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,070
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$88,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.17x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
62.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,918
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates earn $2,896 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
60 graduates
26 graduates
47 graduates
79 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $83,261) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $24,439) is $58,822/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $83,261 | 3.8x |
| Construction Engineering | $81,390 | 3.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $81,316 | 3.7x |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $78,595 | 3.6x |
| Computer Engineering | $74,968 | 3.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,489 | 3.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,034 | 3.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,692 | 3.0x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $65,996 | 3.0x |
| Marketing | $64,541 | 2.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $63,182 | 2.9x |
| Economics | $62,885 | 2.9x |
| Mathematics | $60,748 | 2.8x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $60,359 | 2.7x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations(1yr data) | $58,773 | 2.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,544 | 2.6x |
| Chemistry | $55,512 | 2.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,093 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,307 | 2.4x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $53,188 | 2.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $52,583 | 2.4x |
| Environmental Design | $51,792 | 2.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,323 | 2.3x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $49,282 | 2.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $48,266 | 2.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,136 | 2.1x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $47,019 | 2.1x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $46,675 | 2.1x |
| Interior Architecture | $46,252 | 2.1x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $45,597 | 2.1x |
| Social Work | $45,206 | 2.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,382 | 2.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $43,991 | 2.0x |
| Graphic Communications | $43,025 | 1.9x |
| Journalism | $42,357 | 1.9x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $42,012 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,782 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $40,717 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,145 | 1.8x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,427 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $39,286 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,187 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $39,162 | 1.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,043 | 1.8x |
| Gerontology | $38,561 | 1.8x |
| Education, Other | $38,464 | 1.7x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $37,755 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $37,629 | 1.7x |
| History | $36,362 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,902 | 1.6x |
| Air Transportation(1yr data) | $33,172 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,187 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,573 | 1.4x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $29,405 | 1.3x |
| Music | $29,027 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $29,013 | 1.3x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $26,082 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $24,439 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $47,896 10 years after starting, $2,896 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.