Bowie State University vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bowie State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 5.2% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,241 vs. $12,916).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Bowie State University than at Shepherd University (about $856 more per year; $19,938 vs. $19,082).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Bowie State University (96% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($8,241 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowie State University and Shepherd University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.48 higher than at Bowie State University (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,168 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($22,223 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($229 vs. $252).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 29%).

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