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$6,206Tuition
1,134Students
10%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$47,896Earnings
Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Bowling Green State University-Firelands

Bowling Green State University-Firelands serves as a regional campus offering associate degrees and transfer programs to help students launch their college careers. This two-year campus enrolls 1,134 students in rural Huron, Ohio, functioning as a stepping stone to four-year degrees. Women make up 64% of the student body, and nearly all students (95%) come from Ohio. The campus maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio for personalized attention.

The financial picture reveals both opportunities and challenges. Students pay an average net price of $17,791 after aid, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying $15,172. However, the campus struggles with completion rates, posting a 4-year graduation rate of just 11%. Graduates who do complete their programs earn a median of $47,896 ten years later, carrying typical debt of $25,000 with monthly payments of $265. The employment rate reaches 97%, suggesting strong job placement despite completion challenges.

Students should know that retention presents a significant hurdle, with only 56% returning for their second year. Just over one-quarter of students receive financial aid, and 32% take federal loans. The campus's Mid-American Conference affiliation connects it to the broader Bowling Green athletic community, though as a two-year institution, the focus remains on academics and transfer preparation.

Academics & Faculty

Bowling Green State University-Firelands operates as a two-year regional campus focused on associate degrees and transfer pathways to four-year institutions. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides intimate classroom settings where professors know students by name. However, the 10.97% four-year graduation rate reflects the campus's primary mission as a stepping stone rather than a destination for bachelor's degrees. Students typically complete foundational coursework in liberal arts, business, and health sciences before transferring to the main Bowling Green campus or other universities. The 56.16% retention rate suggests many students successfully transition after completing their intended programs. Nearly all students come from Ohio, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Full-Time Faculty
36.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
11.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
10.2%
Retention Rate
56.2%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$47,896

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $41,565
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $22,485

View all 29 programs →

Campus Life

This two-year regional campus sits in Huron, about an hour from Cleveland and Toledo, where Lake Erie winters mean heavy snow and freezing temperatures from December through March. With just 1,134 students, the campus feels intimate compared to the main Bowling Green campus. Nearly all students (95.26%) come from Ohio, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often know each other from nearby high schools.

The campus doesn't offer traditional dorms, so students commute from surrounding towns or live in local housing. Women make up 63.67% of enrollment, typical for a campus focused on transfer programs and career training. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name rather than student ID numbers. Weekends often revolve around Cleveland sports teams, Lake Erie activities during warmer months, or jobs since many students work while attending classes. The 56.16% retention rate reflects the campus's role as a stepping stone - students either transfer to complete four-year degrees elsewhere or enter the workforce after earning associate degrees.
Setting
Rural-Fringe
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
21°–34°F
July Avg
67°–82°F
Annual Precipitation
34.0"
Annual Snowfall
32.7"

Student Demographics

This regional campus draws almost entirely from Ohio, with 95% of students coming from in-state. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in health sciences, education, and human services programs. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the campus serves working-class families in north-central Ohio. The student body is predominantly white at 70%, with meaningful representation from Black and Hispanic students. Most students are looking for an affordable pathway to a four-year degree or career-focused training close to home.
Men
36.3%
Women
63.7%
White
70.4%
Black
13.0%
Hispanic
8.1%
Asian
0.6%
In-State Students
95.3%
Pell Grant Recipients
26.2%

Location

Bowling Green State University-Firelands sits in Huron, Ohio, a small lakeside community about 60 miles west of Cleveland. The campus serves as a regional branch in Ohio's rural north, where farmland meets Lake Erie's shoreline. Huron offers a quiet, small-town atmosphere with fewer than 7,000 residents. The location provides access to Lake Erie recreational opportunities while maintaining the peaceful setting typical of Ohio's agricultural regions. With 95.26% of students coming from in-state, the campus draws primarily from surrounding rural communities seeking affordable higher education close to home. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Bowling Green State University-Firelands with similar schools in the region.
Address
Huron, Ohio 44839-9791

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$47,896
Median Earnings (5 years)
$51,158
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$33,500
Loan Repayment Rate
53.4%
Monthly Loan Payment
$265/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Bowling Green State University-Firelands?

As a two-year regional campus, Bowling Green State University-Firelands maintains open enrollment for most programs. The campus serves 1,134 students and focuses primarily on associate degrees and transfer preparation to four-year institutions.

How much does Bowling Green State University-Firelands cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $17,791 annually, though this varies by family income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $15,172 after aid, while those from higher-income families pay up to $21,284.

What academic programs does Bowling Green State University-Firelands offer?

The campus operates on a semester system with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. As a regional two-year campus, it specializes in associate degrees and transfer programs that prepare students to continue their education at four-year universities.

What are the graduation rates at Bowling Green State University-Firelands?

The four-year graduation rate is 10.97%, which reflects the campus's role as a stepping stone for transfer students. Many students complete associate degrees or transfer before the traditional four-year mark, and the employment rate reaches 97.3% for graduates.

Where is Bowling Green State University-Firelands located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Huron, Ohio in a rural-fringe setting along Lake Erie's shore. With 95.26% of students coming from in-state and women comprising 63.67% of enrollment, it maintains a close-knit, commuter-focused atmosphere.

How much student debt do graduates typically have from Bowling Green State University-Firelands?

Graduates carry a median debt of $25,000 with monthly loan payments around $265. The relatively lower debt load reflects the campus's two-year focus and affordable in-state tuition of $6,206, making it an economical starting point for higher education.