(From Bowling Green State University)
Building on its momentum, Bowling Green State University is again breaking enrollment records for the second consecutive year as it welcomes its largest freshman class in history of over 4,000 students to start the academic year, with new student headcount up 4% over Fall 2024, up 14% over Fall 2023 and up 36% compared to Fall 2021.
Drawing more students from across Ohio and surrounding states, the BGSU class of 2029 is the highest achieving in University history with a cumulative 3.74 grade point average and an average ACT score of 25.
“We are so grateful that, again, a record number of students and families have chosen Bowling Green,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “This growth is absolutely a reflection of our laser-like focus on the student experience. Bowling Green is big enough to provide all the opportunities of a large university, but small enough that each student can actually take advantage of it, all in one of America’s best and safest college towns.
We have consistently invested and grown in-demand academic programs, as well as introduced a University-wide program called Life Design that empowers students to know how to fully leverage all their college experience has to offer. That has been an incredible combination, with more and more students wanting to join our learning community.”
In addition to reaching record new student enrollment, BGSU is also seeing a 17% increase in the number of students transferring from other institutions, particularly community colleges in northwest, northeast and central Ohio and southeast Michigan, many of which offer pathway programs to the University through innovative partnerships.
Further, BGSU is experiencing 32% growth in students from several counties in Michigan, where the University offers an in-state tuition scholarship.
More students are entering BGSU this fall after previously experiencing Bowling Green as a high school student through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, with a 15% increase over last year in the number of students having already earned college credits.
High-demand degrees and programs
Committed to meeting workforce needs in Ohio and beyond, BGSU continues to invest in high-demand degree programs that are sought after by both students and employers, particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics – or STEM – and healthcare fields.
BGSU is seeing a 36% overall increase in its engineering programs one year after launching reimagined degrees in robotics engineering, electronics and computer engineering and mechanical and manufacturing engineering. Housed in the College of Engineering and Innovation, the programs build upon the University’s longstanding ABET-accredited offerings in applied engineering education, and by Spring 2026, students will learn and gain hands-on experience on the latest robotics and advanced manufacturing technology in the new, state-of-the-art Technology Engineering Innovation Center.
The University is also experiencing a 48% increase in new students enrolling in computer science, a pioneering program for BGSU, which was the first in Ohio at a college or university. Driving further innovation in computer and data science education, BGSU is the first in the nation to launch an AI + X bachelor’s degree, pending approval from the state of Ohio, which combines a core education in artificial intelligence with a secondary discipline in one of six fields: computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism and public relations.
There is also a 22% growth in new students entering pre-professional programs, which build a foundation for careers in dentistry, law, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine. BGSU pre-professional programs also offer pathways for students to seamlessly transition into the University’s innovative hybrid, accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs, along with the University of Findlay’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, which can be completed in six years versus the traditional eight-year path.
“We are thrilled to welcome yet another record-breaking, academically prepared first-year class to BGSU, continuing our overall momentum,” said Cecilia Castellano, vice president for enrollment management. “BGSU continues to develop and offer in-demand degrees and programs that prepare students for meaningful careers and lives, while meeting Ohio’s workforce needs. We are so grateful that more students and their families are choosing BGSU for an education of value and top-ranked experience in a comprehensive, safe learning community.”
Additional BGSU academic programs experiencing overall growth this fall include construction management, up 89%; exercise science, which can lead to admission to the University’s DPT and OTD programs, up 27%; nursing, up 9%; and psychology and mental health-related studies, up 21%.
Programs drawing particular interest from transfer students this fall include business, education, exercise science, nursing, psychology and sport management.
Unparalleled student experiences and opportunities
As the No. 1 public university in Ohio for student learning experiences and opportunities, BGSU gives learners the chance to enjoy the size and academic and personal resources of a large, comprehensive research university while also empowering them to take advantage of moments that support their life and career interests, all of which are factors behind this fall’s new student growth.
Four years after its full rollout, the nationally recognized BGSU Life Design program also continues to drive enrollment and significantly differentiate a Bowling Green education by allowing students to shape their college experience and career goals with design thinking principles that promote on-time graduation and reduced overall debt.
As the only university in the country offering Life Design on a large scale, BGSU supports students from their first day of class through graduation and beyond. Through the Radbill Center for College and Life Design, students individually connect with Life Design coaches for academic and personal support during the early stages of their college career. Later, they can leverage resources offered through the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections to make key introductions with industry professionals and alumni that lead to mentorship, co-ops, internships and fulfilling career opportunities, even beyond graduation, underscoring The Wall Street Journal’s ranking of BGSU as the No. 1 university in Ohio for career preparation.
Recently, Life Design at BGSU established a course specifically for students in the University’s Deciding Student Program, resulting in 91% of students declaring a major or narrowing down their choices after just one semester. To date, BGSU has introduced Life Design to more than 10,000 students, including 75% of first-year students in the Fall 2024 cohort, with a continued goal of reaching 100%.
Home to more than 300 student organizations, BGSU also offers a vibrant, connected learning community with countless opportunities for engagement in and out of the classroom, including with the Falcon Marching Band, which serves as the largest student organization on campus and as one of the nation’s biggest collegiate marching bands.
In addition to competing in NCAA Division I athletics in the Mid-American Conference, BGSU offers competitive, non-scholarship club sports teams that play against opponents from colleges and universities nationwide. During the 2024-25 academic year, BGSU sponsored 17 men’s and women’s club sports teams as well as another 24 co-ed teams in sports such as powerlifting, curling, equestrian and dodgeball.
“With this record-setting first-year enrollment, Bowling Green will continue to reinvest in the student experience, from programs, opportunities and support, to faculty and staff and facilities,” said President Rogers. “We are deeply grateful for our faculty and staff who are steadfast in their commitment to our students and our mission as a public university for the public good.”
For more information about BGSU and to apply or schedule a campus tour, visit BGSU.edu/apply.
