SHU vs. Bowie State University

Sacred Heart University and Bowie State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sacred Heart University
Bowie State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SHU (65.4% admitted vs 72.4%). Typical SAT N/A vs 940.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowie State University. Average net price is $17,287 vs $47,848 at SHU.
  • Graduation: SHU 68% vs Bowie State University 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SHU $59,700 vs Bowie State University $50,500 (median).
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Key differences

Sacred Heart University Bowie State University
Acceptance rate
SHU more selective
SHU65.4%
Bowie State University72.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bowie State University higher
SHU-
Bowie State University796-1083
Average net price
Bowie State University $30,561 less
SHU$47,848
Bowie State University$17,287
In-state tuition
Bowie State University $41,186 less
SHU$50,404
Bowie State University$9,218
Out-of-state tuition
Bowie State University $30,466 less
SHU$50,404
Bowie State University$19,938
Graduation rate
SHU +27 pts
SHU68%
Bowie State University41%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHU +$9,200
SHU$59,700
Bowie State University$50,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SHU 16,495
  • Bowie State University 4,669
  • Admitted
  • SHU 10,781
  • Bowie State University 3,381
  • Acceptance rate
  • SHU 65.4%
  • Bowie State University 72.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SHU 17.5%
  • Bowie State University 27.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University 940
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • SHU 3.55
  • Bowie State University 3.12
  • Typical high school grades
  • SHU A-
  • Bowie State University B
  • Admissions standards
  • SHU Unavailable
  • Bowie State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SHU Low
  • Bowie State University Low
  • SAT range
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University 796-1083
  • ACT range
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University
  • Submit test scores
  • SHU Test-free
  • Bowie State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University May 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Bowie State University $9,218
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Bowie State University $19,938
  • Room & board
  • SHU $19,140
  • Bowie State University $12,241
  • Average net price
  • SHU $47,848
  • Bowie State University $17,287
  • Average grant aid
  • SHU $21,625
  • Bowie State University $6,819
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SHU 99%
  • Bowie State University 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • SHU 68%
  • Bowie State University 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SHU $59,700
  • Bowie State University $50,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • SHU 76%
  • Bowie State University 29%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SHU $25,000
  • Bowie State University $24,391
  • Median loan payment
  • SHU $258
  • Bowie State University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SHU 15:1
  • Bowie State University 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • SHU
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Bowie State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communications Technology (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • Location
  • SHU Fairfield, CT
  • Bowie State University Bowie, MD
  • Setting
  • SHU Large Suburban
  • Bowie State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • SHU 11,022
  • Bowie State University 6,353
  • Type
  • SHU Private 4 Year
  • Bowie State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SHU
  • Bowie State University #893

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Bowie State University in Bowie, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 6,353 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
  • Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 36% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,241 vs. $19,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 152.8% higher at SHU than at Bowie State University (about $30,466 more per year; $50,404 vs. $19,938).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Bowie State University (99% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 217.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($21,625 vs. $6,819).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at SHU, test optional at Bowie State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SHU average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Bowie State University (3.12).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $609 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($24,391 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($252 vs. $258).
  • More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 29%).

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

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