BGSU welcomes one of its largest, highest-achieving classes in history as new academic year begins

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – As a new academic year gets underway, Bowling Green State University is welcoming one of its largest and highest-achieving freshman classes in history, highlighting the University's commitment to student success and outcomes.

This fall, roughly 3,550 new, first-time students make up the BGSU Class of 2027, the second-largest class in seven years and the University's largest since the global pandemic.

“We are so pleased to welcome the Class of 2027 to Bowling Green State University,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “As a public university for the public good, this enrollment increase represents not only the exciting momentum at BGSU, but a much larger impact to our region, state and beyond, with much of the growth coming from our programs like aviation, nursing, advanced manufacturing and computer sciences ­– areas that are in great demand.”

The BGSU Class of 2027 has the highest grade point average in University history at 3.68 with the Honors College welcoming nearly 400 new scholars, up 100 students from last year. The number of top scholars attending BGSU this fall is up 20% compared to last academic year.

"We are thrilled to welcome one of the largest and most academically talented freshman classes ever at BGSU," said Cecilia Castellano, vice president for Enrollment Management. "BGSU provides comprehensive opportunities, an education of value and a connected community where students can belong. It's for those factors and more that we believe these students and their families chose BGSU over other colleges and universities."

The University is also seeing significant growth in the number of out-of-state students enrolling for Fall 2023 Semester, with a 12% increase of new, first-time students making up the class of 2027.

As part of its commitment to providing an education of value, BGSU offers in-state tuition prices to students from Monroe and Lenawee counties in Michigan and from multiple counties in northeastern Indiana. Additionally, the University has not increased its out-of-state surcharge for undergraduate or graduate students for two consecutive years.

“At BGSU, we are committed to redefining student success," said Dr. Glenn Davis, vice president of Student Engagement and Success. "BGSU empowers its students to design their lives so they can become engaged learners, active citizens and community leaders. We look forward to supporting the academic, social and personal growth of every student in the BGSU Class of 2027 from move-in through graduation."

Committed to meeting workforce needs, BGSU is continually investing in in-demand academic programs, including architecture, aviation, business, nursing, mechanical and manufacturing engineering technology and more, all of which are drawing particular interest from the Class of 2027.

With more than 200 undergraduate majors and programs, BGSU is among the top 10 public universities in the nation for undergraduate teaching, according to U.S. News and World Report.

BGSU remains the No. 1 university in the Midwest students would choose again for their education, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Updated: 08/21/2023 11:31AM