Bowie State University vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Bowie State University vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Bluefield University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Bluefield University ($17,287 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 22.6% lower than at Bowie State University ($9,480 vs. $12,241).
• Bluefield University is 190.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $17,552 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Bluefield University than at Bowie State University (about $6,832 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Bowie State University (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 198.3% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($20,341 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Bluefield University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bluefield University and Bowie State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowie State University 796/1083.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Bowie State University vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Bluefield University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bowie State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $3,557 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($20,834 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($215 vs. $252).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.