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Bowie State University

Bowie State University

Bowie, MD · Suburb · 5,043 students
WebsiteForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$19,298
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
38%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$54,537
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
72%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Founded in 1865, Bowie State University holds the distinction of being Maryland’s oldest Historically Black University (HBCU) and is widely recognized for its leadership in STEM, education, and workforce readiness. The university boasts top-tier academic programs in cybersecurity, computer science, nursing, and business administration, frequently earning designations as a national center of academic excellence in cyber defense. Campus life is characterized by a close-knit, supportive community rich in vibrant HBCU traditions, active Greek life, and engaging student organizations. Situated strategically along the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore corridor, Bowie State uniquely positions its students for high-level federal internships, research initiatives, and immediate career opportunities in the government and tech sectors.

Wikipedia:Bowie State University is a public historically black university in the Prince George's County of the U.S. state of Maryland, north of Bowie. It is part of the University System of Maryland. Founded in 1865, Bowie State is Maryland's oldest historically black university and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Location
Bowie, MD, 20715-9465 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BWI · Baltimore
12 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,218$19,938
Housing & food (on campus)$12,241$12,241
Books & supplies$2,500$2,500
Cost of attendance$25,220$35,940 est.
Average net price$19,298Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,938
In-state: $9,218
Housing & food (on campus)$12,241
Books & supplies$2,500
Cost of attendance$35,940 est.
In-state: $25,220
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $19,298
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,071
$30–48k
$16,646
$48–75k
$19,163
$75–110k
$22,808
$110k+
$24,919
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
38%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
16%
Back for yr 2
68%
Transferred
29%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
43% graduated · 34% transferred · 3% still enrolled · 20% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$43,877
10 yrs after entry$54,537
Debt
Median at graduation$22,985
Monthly payment$244
Middle 50% owe$5.8k–$27k
90th percentile$36,791
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
72%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
ACT midpoint
19

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Essay prompts

If Bowie State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 40%Women 60%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
44%
First-gen
36%
Family income
$36,428
Independent
25%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
15%
Race & ethnicity
White
3%
Hispanic
6%
Black
81%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$43,877
After 10 yrs
$54,537
Business Administration, Management and Operations147
Criminal Justice and Corrections102
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians97
Psychology, General87
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other68
Biology, General60
Design and Applied Arts43
Sociology35
Social Work32
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing30
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods27
Computer and Information Sciences, General26
History26
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness24
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services21
Fine and Studio Arts10
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$47M
Full-time faculty
46%
Faculty salary
$11,118/mo
Teaching spend
$10,087
per student
Federal loans
44%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending · 11 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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