Bowie State University vs. Carlow University

Should I go to Bowie State University or Carlow University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowie State University or Carlow University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowie State University vs. Carlow University comparison
Bowie State University Carlow University College 3 College 4
Bowie State University Carlow University
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Overview

Bowie State University Carlow University
Location Bowie, MD Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 6,275 2,104
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #962 #752
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowiestate.edu carlow.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowie State University Carlow University
Tuition (In State) $5,811 $32,402
Tuition (Out of State) $16,533 $32,402
Room & Board $12,468 $13,014
Avg Net Price $13,886 $17,437
Avg Grant Aid $9,463 $26,713
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 99%

Admission

Bowie State University Carlow University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,445 1,124
Admitted 4,712 1,042
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 92.7%
Enrolled % 25.2% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.12 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 800/1048 850/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2025

Academics

Bowie State University Carlow University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Bowie State University Carlow University
Graduation Rate 41% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $41,900
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,391 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $252 $279

Diversity

Bowie State University Carlow University
% Men 37% 14%
% Women 63% 86%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 61%
% Black 86% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Bowie State University Carlow University
% In-State 78% 88%
% Out-of-State 19% 11%

Campus

Bowie State University Carlow University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowie State University is larger than than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (6,275 students vs. 2,104 students)

Bowie State University vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Carlow University?

  • Carlow University is 457.6% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($32,402.00 vs. $5,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 96% higher at Carlow University than Bowie State University ($32,402.00 vs. $16,533.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Carlow University ($13,886 vs. $17,437)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 4.4% lower than costs at Carlow University ($12,468 vs. $13,014)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carlow University than Bowie State University (99% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 182.3% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($26,713 vs. $9,463)

Bowie State University vs. Carlow University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Carlow University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Carlow University or Bowie State University .

  • The average SAT score at Carlow University (972) is 89 points higher than at Bowie State University (883)
  • Incoming Carlow University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Bowie State University (3.12)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Bowie State University (86.5%)

Bowie State University vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowie State University or Carlow University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Carlow University and Bowie State University.

  • The graduation rate at Carlow University is higher than Bowie State University (51% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Carlow University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $41,900)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $2,609 lower median federal student loan debt than Carlow University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $27,000)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Carlow University graduates. ($252 vs. $279)
  • More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/