August 27, 2023
Last week, Bowling Green State University welcomed one of the largest and most academically prepared classes in its history.
It’s great for BGSU, no doubt — but, as a public university for the public good, it’s even more significant for our region and state.
The enrollment growth comes largely from students seeking BGSU’s academic programs in greatest demand. For example, our aviation program is up 43 percent; enrollment in our school of nursing is up 13 percent; engineering, education, sports medicine, and forensics programs are also growing. That means more pilots, nurses, engineers, teachers, health care providers, and scientists for you and your families.
We’re also seeing more students from outside Ohio choosing BGSU, with out-of-state enrollment up 12 percent, supporting businesses and our local economy and attracting talent to our state.
Despite the rhetoric questioning the value of a college degree and the heavy headwinds of declining college enrollment, BGSU has proven what is possible because, above all, it is our responsibility as a public university to ensure access to education. Even with inflation and limited support of additional state dollars for Ohio’s public education systems, we offer a tuition guarantee to all incoming students — locking in rates for four years.
We have focused our efforts in leveraging corporate partnerships and private philanthropy to support our long-term strategy and growth in academic programming, facilities, and scholarships — directly benefiting our students. With investments in student success, our students are now earning their bachelor’s degree, on average, in 3.5 to 3.6 years.
Throughout their careers, a BGSU graduate will earn about $1.2 million more on average than individuals with a high school diploma — according to a recent economic impact study from Lightcast. That is an ROI of 16.2 percent — surpassing the average return on the stock market of 10.5 percent over the last 30 years.
That is a real value not only to our graduates — but to our entire state.
According to Lightcast, BGSU’s economic impact in fiscal year 2021-22 to Ohio was $3.1 billion. The study also found that Ohio’s public universities generate significantly more tax revenue than they receive — about $4.60 for each dollar Ohioans invest throughout students’ working lives.
It’s a worthwhile investment, both now and for our future.
For example, Ohio has long been a leader in manufacturing. Global companies like Intel see the opportunity to leverage our state’s potential as we embark on high-tech manufacturing — from electric vehicles to advanced semiconductors and thinner, stronger glass. The time has never been more critical for a robust talent pool — not only to support these industries, but in the projected growth of our communities that will need new schools, hospitals, transportation, and more.
As a public university for the public good, our success truly is your success. Increased enrollment is good for BGSU, but I believe it’s even better for Ohio.
Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
President
