Bowie State University vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Bowie State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than Bowie State University ($16,230 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 19% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,241 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $3,770 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Bowie State University than at Cleveland State University (about $1,428 more per year; $19,938.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Bowie State University (90% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 43.6% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($9,795 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and Bowie State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 70 points higher than at Bowie State University (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowie State University 796/1083; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Bowie State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,891 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($222 vs. $252).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.