Bowie State University is a public 4-year college in Bowie, Maryland with 5,043 undergraduates. It admits 72% of applicants, costs an average of $17,835 a year after grants and graduates 37% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Bowie State University acceptance rate and admissions
Bowie State University admitted 72% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
Bowie State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $9,529 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $20,464 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $13,244 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $22,321 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $17,835 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $17,835 a year after grants and scholarships, $4,486 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Bowie State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Bowie State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 37% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $61,890 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $20,550 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 33% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Bowie State University majors and what graduates earn
Bowie State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 22 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($103,814).
All 22 majors at Bowie State University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 23 | n/a | $103,814 | n/a |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 58 | $61,000 | $97,030 | $25,375 |
| Business administration | 125 | $61,320 | $70,427 | $19,500 |
| History | 10 | n/a | $68,077 | n/a |
| Criminal justice | 89 | $45,290 | $67,303 | $24,750 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 30 | n/a | $60,746 | n/a |
| Biology | 46 | $39,187 | $59,995 | n/a |
| Social work | 16 | n/a | $57,224 | n/a |
| Sociology | 34 | n/a | $57,075 | n/a |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 79 | $44,461 | $56,818 | $20,654 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 24 | n/a | $55,788 | n/a |
| Psychology | 84 | $45,154 | $54,082 | $18,250 |
| Human development and family studies | 30 | $39,590 | $53,181 | n/a |
| English | 7 | n/a | $48,707 | n/a |
| Graphic and industrial design | 35 | n/a | $33,841 | n/a |
| Computer and information sciences | 38 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Bowie State University
19 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 19 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychology | Master's | 28 | n/a | n/a |
| Public administration | Master's | 21 | $71,096 | n/a |
| Information science | Master's | 20 | n/a | n/a |
| Human resources | Master's | 19 | n/a | n/a |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Business | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer and information sciences | Master's | 16 | n/a | n/a |
| Mental health counseling | Master's | 14 | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 11 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer and information sciences | Doctoral | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Education leadership | Doctoral | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Applied mathematics | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 5,043 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 60% women, 40% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large suburb
- Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Bowie State University?
Bowie State University admitted 72% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Bowie State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $9,529 for in-state students and $20,464 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $17,835 a year in 2024-25.
Is Bowie State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Bowie State University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Bowie State University?
37% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Bowie State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $61,890 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Maryland · Bowie State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.