For the second consecutive year, Bowling Green State University is setting enrollment records as it welcomes one of its largest and the highest-achieving freshman classes in university history, with new student enrollment up 12% as compared to fall 2023, and up 22% compared to fall 2022.
This fall, the class of 2028 is comprised of nearly 3,900 students from across Ohio and more than 30 states, with first-year, out-of-state enrollment up 21%. Enrollment is also up across Ohio, with first-year enrollment of students from northwest Ohio up 19%. First-year enrollment of international students has doubled, compared to fall 2023.
As the highest academically achieving class in BGSU history, the freshman cohort has a 3.69 grade point average and an average ACT score of 25.1.
“We are excited to welcome so many new students to our learning community, defying national and even statewide enrollment trends. Bowling Green is big enough to provide all the opportunities of a comprehensive, research university, but small enough to where each of our students can actually take advantage of it,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Our levels of enrollment are a great size for us in providing that exceptional experience, which has long made Bowling Green so special.”
Enrollment also is up 5% overall this fall at BGSU Firelands, the university’s regional campus located in Huron.
For the second consecutive year, the university is also seeing historic student success and retention rates, underscoring The Wall Street Journal’s ranking of BGSU as the No. 1 university in Ohio for the student experience.
“We know engagement is a key driver of student success,” said Glenn Davis, interim provost and senior vice president and vice president for student engagement and success at BGSU. “We will remain focused on ensuring students get involved on our campuses, from joining student clubs and organizations, to leading undergraduate research alongside our faculty, to participating in internships and co-ops and attending athletics and arts events.”
Much of the university’s momentum in its enrollment gains is being driven by in-demand academic programs focused on meeting Ohio’s workforce needs, especially in STEM and healthcare.
Academic programs seeing record enrollment include aviation and nursing, both up 34% in new students. Business is up 21%, with additional growth in programs such as education, exercise science, medical laboratory science, the arts and more. The Honors College has enrolled 375 new, high-achieving students.
Other sought-after programs like architecture, forensic science, and resort and attraction management also are drawing students from outside Ohio.
The BGSU Life Design program continues to drive enrollment, especially for students who are undecided in their major upon starting their academic journey. The program empowers students to shape their college and career journey through design thinking principles. Offered to all undergraduate students, Life Design at BGSU is the only program of its kind in country being offered on a large scale.
“Bowling Green has leaned in on the student experience, intentionally empowering our students to take advantage of all we have to offer from day one,” Rogers added. “This kind of momentum takes all of us being all in, and we are grateful for our students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and supporters who continue to support our learning community.”
For the fourth consecutive year, BGSU has been ranked as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest students say would choose again.
The BGSU Class of 2028 consists of students from U.S. states spanning from Hawaii to Delaware and countries such as Nepal, India and Canada.
In keeping education accessible, BGSU provides more than 90% of all new students with comprehensive scholarship and financial aid options, including the University Freshman Academic Scholarship, which ranges from $1,000 to $9,500 and is renewable for four years with no essays, recommendation letters or interviews required.
BGSU has also invested in constructing and updating multiple academic, housing and extracurricular spaces throughout the years.
As part of the recently completed, 10-year Master Plan 1.0, BGSU ushered in new and reimagined spaces including Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center, Kokosing Hall, Social House at The Oaks, Centennial residence hall and the Student Recreation Center. The university is currently transforming the Technology Building to include collaborative classrooms and adaptable space for cutting-edge robotics and engineering equipment as part of Campus Master Plan 2024.
