Bowie State University vs. North Carolina Central University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 6,353 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); North Carolina Central University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; North Carolina Central University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 9% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($12,241 vs. $13,450).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Bowie State University than at North Carolina Central University (about $203 more per year; $19,938 vs. $19,735).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina Central University than at Bowie State University (87% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 76% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($11,999 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowie State University and North Carolina Central University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at North Carolina Central University average a 3.27 high school GPA, 0.15 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% at North Carolina Central University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $6,609 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($24,391 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($252 vs. $320).
• More Bowie State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation (29% vs. 23%).

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