Bowie State University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Centra College 3:1.

Bowie State University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 1.5% lower than at Centra College ($12,241 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 40.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $3,765 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.6% higher at Bowie State University than at Centra College (about $6,955 more per year; $19,938.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowie State University than at Centra College (54% vs. 0%).

Bowie State University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Centra College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Centra College and Bowie State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowie State University 796/1083.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Bowie State University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Centra College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $12,349 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($12,042 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $128 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($124 vs. $252).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.