Bowie State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Maryland residents. graduation rate is below 40%. a public school with 5,043 students.
About This School
Bowie State University is a public institution located in Bowie, Maryland with approximately 5,043 undergraduate students enrolled. Bowie State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 72%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,298 per year. The graduation rate is 38%, and the typical graduate earns $48,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the relatively affordable net price ($19,335/year) and low median debt ($12,861) are genuinely appealing, but a 38% graduation rate is a real concern — meaning most students who start here don't finish, which is worth taking seriously. The 70% freshman retention rate suggests many students hit friction points after the first year, so incoming students should have a clear academic plan and take advantage of support resources early. Worth considering if you're drawn to an HBCU community, need an affordable option in the Maryland area, and are confident in your commitment to finishing — but go in with eyes open.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 0% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,043 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Towson University
Towson, MD · Public
Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · Public
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD · Public
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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