#1 public university in Ohio for career prep
The Wall Street Journal
It's time to say yes to BGSU!
Let us know how you plan to be a Falcon
There is only one Bowling Green experience.
Bowling Green State University is a Division I, comprehensive, public research university that’s large enough to provide all the opportunities of a big school, but small enough for you to take advantage of them. Here at Bowling Green, professors know your name and career mentors help you launch a successful career.
Right programs. Right size. Right place.
Right programs
- Programs designed to help you use what you’re learning. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in STEM, healthcare, business, construction management, education, exercise science, nursing, psychology, mental health-related studies or even artificial intelligence, we have what you’re looking for.
- #1 public university in Ohio for career prep
– The Wall Street Journal - #1 public university in Ohio for learning opportunities
– The Wall Street Journal - Our Falcon Tuition Guarantee locks in your tuition for four years. Our commitment to reducing student debt means more students graduate with no loans or with smaller loans.
Right size
- Large enough to provide all the opportunities of a big school, but small enough for you to take advantage of them.
- Our Life Design program puts you in the driver’s seat of your education and empowers you with the tools and connections to maximize your college experience, from day one through graduation. With Life Design, we can help you find your career path and your people.
- We’re the only school in the nation offering Life Design on such a broad scale.
- It's one of the major reasons we are nationally recognized for student experience – and ranked the No. 1 public university in Ohio for learning experiences and opportunities by The Wall Street Journal.
Right place
- Where campus, community and real life connect. Our students tell us they feel at home here, and we make it our mission to help you make the most of your college experience.
- #1 small college town in Ohio, Top 10 in the Midwest
– WalletHub - #1 safest college town in Ohio for a public university
– Research.com, 2024 - #1 public university in Ohio for learning facilities
– The Wall Street Journal - Whether you’re exploring our 400+ student organizations, building friendships with roommates and classmates or connecting with industry leaders through our Kuhlin Career Hub, we are committed to making your investment and college experience worthwhile.
It’s why students say they’d choose BGSU again, year after year, six years in a row.
Top 5 university in the nation – #1 university in Ohio – students say they’d choose again
The Wall Street Journal
Come see for yourself!
The best way to experience BGSU is to see it for yourself during Falcon Fridays – events designed specifically for high school seniors. Whether it’s your first visit to campus or a return visit, these events are your opportunity to explore BGSU, connect with faculty and staff, visit a few residence halls and picture what life here could look like. Come see why so many students say Bowling Green just feels right.
#1 public university in Ohio for career prep
The Wall Street Journal
And it's working...
I wanted to be intentional about my career: it had to be something that I had passion for, that I was good at and would be sustainable. – Shauntina Lilly ’10
Public Affairs Officer
NASA
Bowling Green was perfect for me. What I realized back then, and what I try to help students understand today, is that college is more than an education – it’s career development,” Del Pozzo said. “People still say to me all the time, ‘I can’t believe you’re this kid from Bowling Green and now you’re running one of the biggest brands in the world.’ “I’m proof that it is possible. – Michael Del Pozzo ’99
North American President
PepsiCo
My internship was so key, and that is actually one of the most important things Bowling Green did for me. Bowling Green was the place where I came in touch with that teacher and that led to the internship. It was a confidence thing. He wrote me a glowing reference letter, probably too glowing, but I think I lived up to the letter because he made me believe I could do it. – Steve Hartman ’85
News Correspondent
CBS News
The foundation was in place. Making those contacts and taking advantage of all of those opportunities and experiences at BG allowed me to get my foot in the door. – Curtis Danburg ’96
VP of Communications and Community Impact
Cleveland Guardians
I was able to get internships and connect with companies around the country who were super interested in BGSU students, but at the same time, I was able to form close relationships with most of the professors and other people in my classes and build from there. – Abi Slembarski ’25
I see myself as a completely different person now in the best way possible. I owe a ton of gratitude to BGSU and Life Design for helping me build such a strong foundation for my future. It has been incredible to pour my heart and soul into a program that, in turn, poured its heart and soul into me, empowering me to become the person I’m meant to be. – Devin Darr '25
It started with my first visit. Everybody made you feel like you have a place at BGSU,” he said. “I didn’t feel like a number. I could sense that this is a campus with a lot of growth potential and countless opportunities to succeed. Bowling Green truly feels like my second home. – Brandon Perkins '25
FAQs about choosing Bowling Green State University
Absolutely, and the numbers back it up. BGSU graduates earn $1.2 million more over their lifetimes than those without a college degree, and 34 percent of BGSU students graduate with no student loan debt at all. Our Falcon Tuition Guarantee locks in your tuition rate for four years, so you can plan ahead without worrying about rising costs. When it comes to launching your career, BGSU is ranked the #1 public university in Ohio for career prep by The Wall Street Journal, and 98% of students are employed, in grad school, or starting a business within six months of graduation. That's not just a degree, that’s a return on your investment.
Yes, and we've built an entire division to make sure of it. Bowling Green State University is one of the few universities in the country with a Division of Student Engagement and Success dedicated entirely to your college experience. They're here to help you grow academically, socially and personally, and they work hard to empower you to become an engaged learner, an active citizen and a community leader. With more than 300 student organizations and 20 student activities happening every month, you'll find your people here. Whether you're passionate about the arts, athletics, activism, entrepreneurship or something entirely your own, there's a place for you at BGSU.
On-campus living is one of the best parts of the college experience — and one of the smartest choices you can make. Research shows that students who live on campus earn higher GPAs and graduate faster than their peers who live off campus. And building life-long friendships starts the moment you move in. Getting set up is straightforward: after submitting your housing application and selecting a meal plan, you'll make your $200 initial housing payment through MyBGSU. From there, you'll move into the room selection process — think of it like choosing your seat at a concert. You'll be able to browse all available residence hall options and choose your own room when it's your turn.
More than you might expect. Bowling Green is ranked the #1 small college town in Ohio and a top 10 in the Midwest by WalletHub. It’s also the #1 safest college town in Ohio for a public university, according to Research.com. This rare mix of vibrancy and safety makes BG a great place to call home.
Downtown Bowling Green is just a few blocks away and has a charm that speaks for itself. The city is full of walkable streets lined with local coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and live-music venues. Dining options run the full spectrum, from beloved Mexican restaurants and Mediterranean street food to sushi, iconic pizza joints and tiny treasures with locally sourced ingredients. The community also comes alive through events like the Black Swamp Arts Festival, which draws more than 60,000 people each September and features top-rated fine arts and live music, as well as summer Firefly Nights festivals and a weekly farmers market buzzing with fresh produce, food trucks and live music.
When you're ready to venture a little further, you're ideally positioned to explore. Toledo and its world-class Toledo Museum of Art are just 25 miles north, Lake Erie and Cedar Point are within an easy drive and Detroit is about an hour away. Bowling Green isn’t just a place to study, it’s a place to belong.
I plan to live on campus
Take the first steps in committing to BGSU by making your $200 housing payment and registering for orientation.
How do I make my housing payment?
Log in to MyBGSU, then navigate to "Housing and Residence Life." Select "Housing and Meal Plan Application" to make your payment.
Tips:
- Find additional housing instructions through the Office of Student Housing.
- Need help setting up your MyBGSU account? Connect with the Office of Admissions.
Next, register for orientation
Once you've made your housing payment, stay in MyBGSU and sign up for summer orientation by selecting "Orientation Reservation."
I plan to commute from home
If you live within 50 miles of BGSU, you are eligible to register as a commuter student. To let us know you've chosen BGSU, simply sign up for summer orientation.
How do I commit to BGSU as a commuter student?
Log in to your MyBGSU account, then select "Orientation Reservation."
Tip:
Need help setting up your MyBGSU account? Connect with the Office of Admissions.
Right programs. Right size. Right place.
Updated: 04/21/2026 05:36PM
Right programs. Right size. Right place.
Right decision.