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PublicSuburbanHBCU

Bowie State University

Bowie, Maryland 20715-9465

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek lifeHBCU

Known for business

Bowie State University is a public institution in Bowie with particular strength in business and computer science. With an average SAT of 935, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.2K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

38% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,537 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,335.

Established
1865
Mascot
Butch the Bulldog
Type
Public HBCU

Plan Your Visit

84%Acceptance
935SAT Avg
5,207Students
16:1Student:Faculty
38%Grad Rate
$54,537Earnings 10yr
$19,335Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate83.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 935

Reading & WritingMid: 475
423540
MathMid: 455
373543

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,999
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,889
Room & Board$13,272
Books & Supplies$2,500
Total Cost of Attendance$24,302
Average Net Price$19,335
Median Debt at Graduation$22,985
Monthly Payment (10yr)$244

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,935
$30–48K$16,967
$48–75K$19,731
$75–110K$23,194
$110K+$23,943

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

59.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,861

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

37

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (60)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

70%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
5,207
Gender Split
61% / 40%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
44%

Race & Ethnicity

White 3%
Black 82%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate38.1%
Freshman Retention69.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,877
10 Years$54,537

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • It was founded in 1865 by the Baltimore Association for the Moral and Educational Improvement of the Colored People as a teaching school.
  • The school first used space at the African Baptist Church at Calvert Street and Saratoga Street, in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • In 1867, a dedicated facility was purchased nearby at Saratoga Street and Courtland Street, and the school was formally named the Baltimore Normal School for Colored Teachers.
  • After being reorganized in 1883 as the Baltimore Normal School, it educated African Americans to be teachers for African American students until 1908.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

116High

Estimated from MD state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
17 mi(29 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
20 mi(35 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
107 mi(185 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BWI Baltimore-Washington12 mi
IAD Washington Dulles38 mi
MDT Harrisburg81 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA377 mi · ~10h 53m drive
New York, NY187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Hartford, CT287 mi · ~8h 17m drive
Providence, RI341 mi · ~9h 51m drive
Albany, NY296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Syracuse, NY280 mi · ~8h 5m drive
Rochester, NY289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Buffalo, NY289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Philadelphia, PA107 mi · ~3h 5m drive
Pittsburgh, PA198 mi · ~5h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA87 mi · ~2h 31m drive
Newark, NJ181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Washington, DC17 mi · ~29 min drive
Baltimore, MD20 mi · ~35 min drive
Atlanta, GA559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Charlotte, NC345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
Raleigh, NC246 mi · ~7h 6m drive
Miami, FL937 mi · ~27h 4m drive
Orlando, FL771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Tampa, FL832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Nashville, TN583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
New Orleans, LA982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Richmond, VA108 mi · ~3h 7m drive
Chicago, IL604 mi · ~17h 27m drive
Detroit, MI401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Minneapolis, MN940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
St. Louis, MO723 mi · ~20h 53m drive
Kansas City, MO954 mi · ~27h 34m drive
Indianapolis, IN504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
Columbus, OH339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
Cleveland, OH312 mi · ~9h 1m drive
Milwaukee, WI643 mi · ~18h 35m drive
Dallas, TX1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Houston, TX1235 mi · ~35h 41m drive
Austin, TX1333 mi · ~38h 31m drive
San Antonio, TX1402 mi · ~40h 30m drive
Los Angeles, CA2308 mi · ~66h 41m drive
San Francisco, CA2448 mi · ~70h 43m drive
San Diego, CA2285 mi · ~66h 1m drive
Seattle, WA2331 mi · ~67h 20m drive
Portland, OR2357 mi · ~68h 5m drive
Denver, CO1502 mi · ~43h 23m drive
Phoenix, AZ1992 mi · ~57h 33m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1854 mi · ~53h 34m drive
Honolulu, HI4842 mi · ~139h 53m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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