Bowie State University vs. Hampshire College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Hampshire College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Hampshire College is in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Hampshire College 13:1.

Bowie State University vs. Hampshire College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Hampshire College? 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 Hampshire College ($17,287 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 23.3% lower than at Hampshire College ($12,241 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 538.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $49,678 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.4% higher at Hampshire College than at Bowie State University (about $38,958 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Bowie State University (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 576.7% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($46,145 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Hampshire College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Hampshire College? 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 Hampshire College 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; Hampshire College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 14.4% at Hampshire College.

Bowie State University vs. Hampshire College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Hampshire College? 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $860 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($23,531 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($243 vs. $252).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.