BGSU announces largest freshman class in history with more than 4,000 students

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green State University is reporting record-breaking enrollment for the second year in a row, welcoming more than 4,000 freshmen this fall, the largest incoming class in school history.

The university said new student enrollment is up 4% compared to last fall, 14% compared to Fall 2023 and 36% compared to Fall 2021. According to BGSU, the incoming class of 2029 is also the “highest achieving” in BGSU history, with an average 3.74 GPA and an ACT score of 25.

“We’ve been growing the first-year class, but we’re also making sure we grow the right way so that a student will always have the kind of experience at Bowling Green that will allow them to be successful,” President Rodney Rogers said.

In addition to new freshman enrollment, BGSU reports a 17% increase in transfer students, many from Ohio community colleges, and a 32% increase from Michigan counties where students qualify for in-state tuition. Participation in Ohio’s College Credit Plus program is also helping fuel growth, with a 15% increase in students entering with college credit, the university said.

BGSU said it continues to expand in science, technology, engineering and healthcare programs. Engineering enrollment is up 36% since the university launched new robotics, electronics and manufacturing degrees last year. Computer science enrollment grew 48%, and BGSU is preparing to offer the nation’s first “AI + X” bachelor’s degree, pending state approval.

According to the university, other programs showing growth include pre-professional tracks in law, pharmacy and healthcare fields, construction management (up 89%), exercise science (up 27%), nursing (up 9%) and mental health-related studies (up 21%).

“We want to make sure we have the right programs, the programs that really provide students with great career outcomes and the ability to lead a great life,” Rogers said. “The other thing about Bowling Green is we believe we are the right size. It’s the Goldilocks paradox, if you will. We’re not trying to be 100,000 students, but we are large enough to have amazing opportunities.”

While the university has seen growth in a number of programs, one program going away is the World Language program, as the university looked at enrollment trends for the program.

“We are always looking to make sure that we have the right array of academic offerings that have enrollments that are robust enough to support them,” Rogers said. “Because there are alternative pathways for teachers to be certified to teach language, and we offer that, and that program’s got much more robust enrollment. In this case, it’s really being as efficient as possible to make sure we can support and invest in those programs that are so important to Ohioans.”

BGSU leaders credit part of the growth to the university’s Life Design program, which helps students connect with academic resources and career preparation. Now in its fourth year, BGSU said the initiative has reached more than 10,000 students and was recently expanded for undecided majors.

Along with academics, BGSU offers more than 300 student organizations, a nationally recognized marching band, NCAA Division I athletics and a range of club sports.