Bowie State University

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Bowie, MD
  • 3.0 1 review
#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

Overview

Total enrollment

6,353
Bowie State University overview
Bowie State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Bowie State University, located in Bowie, Maryland, sits on a suburban 300-acre campus approximately 25 miles east of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1865, it is Maryland's oldest historically Black university and was originally established as a normal school for teacher training. The university maintains a comprehensive academic program with notable strengths in nursing, computer science, and education, while also housing the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing in a state-of-the-art facility. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including suite-style residence halls that house approximately one-third of the undergraduate population, and competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Bulldogs.

Bowie State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs

Ratings

Bowie State University is rated within the lower 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Bowie State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 796/1083
  • GPA 3.12

Acceptance Rate

72.4%
Bowie State University applications overview
  • Applications Due May 15, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 27.3%
  • Application Fee $40

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Maryland Resident Tuition

$9,218

Out of State Resident Tuition

$19,938

Breakdown

In State Costs for Bowie State University
  • Tuition $9,218
  • Books and Supplies $2,500
  • Other Fees $3,105
  • Room and Board $12,241
  • Budget for Other Expenses $1,660
  • Total One Year Cost $28,724

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$50,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

41% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bowie State University are Business, Psychology, and Social Sciences. 23% of students major in Business, 13% in Psychology, and 13% in Social Sciences.

  • Business 23%
  • Psychology 13%
  • Social Sciences 13%
  • Communications Technology 10%
  • Health Professions 10%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Bowie State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=162007.

GPA calculator: Bowie State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026