Bowie State University vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Bowie State University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 763 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 7.5% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,241 vs. $13,230).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at Ferrum College than at Bowie State University (about $8,582 more per year; $28,520 vs. $19,938).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Bowie State University (98% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 405.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($34,444 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowie State University and Ferrum College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Ferrum College average a 3.14 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Bowie State University (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $3,609 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($24,391 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($252 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation (49% vs. 29%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.