Bowie State University vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bowie State University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 964 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 24.8% lower than at Bowie State University ($9,210 vs. $12,241).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Bowie State University than at Shaw University (about $2,400 more per year; $19,938 vs. $17,538).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Bowie State University (97% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 111.4% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($14,417 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Bowie State University, test-free at Shaw University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Bowie State University average a 3.12 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at Shaw University (2.6).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $13,609 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($24,391 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($252 vs. $392).
• More Bowie State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation (29% vs. 15%).

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