Bowie State University vs. JCSU

Deciding between Bowie State University and Johnson C Smith University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bowie State University
Johnson C Smith University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bowie State University Bowie, MD
  • JCSU Charlotte, NC
  • Setting
  • Bowie State University Large Suburban
  • JCSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowie State University 6,353
  • JCSU 1,302
  • Type
  • Bowie State University Public 4 Year
  • JCSU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bowie State University #893
  • JCSU #967
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bowie State University -
  • JCSU -
  • Status
  • Bowie State University Non-profit
  • JCSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bowie State University
  • JCSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bowie State University $9,218
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bowie State University $19,938
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Room & Board
  • Bowie State University $12,241
  • JCSU $8,600
  • Average Net Price
  • Bowie State University $17,287
  • JCSU $19,705
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University $6,819
  • JCSU $15,238
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University 54%
  • JCSU 93%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bowie State University 4,669
  • JCSU 6,820
  • Admitted
  • Bowie State University 3,381
  • JCSU 3,083
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bowie State University 72.4%
  • JCSU 45.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Bowie State University 27.3%
  • JCSU 12.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowie State University 940
  • JCSU 890
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowie State University
  • JCSU 15
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bowie State University 3.12
  • JCSU 2.48
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bowie State University B
  • JCSU C+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bowie State University Extremely Easy
  • JCSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bowie State University Low
  • JCSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Bowie State University
  • JCSU 13/18
  • SAT Range
  • Bowie State University 796/1083
  • JCSU 800/980
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bowie State University Test optional
  • JCSU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Bowie State University May 15, 2027
  • JCSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bowie State University 15:1
  • JCSU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bowie State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communications Technology (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • JCSU
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bowie State University 41%
  • JCSU 37%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bowie State University $50,500
  • JCSU $30,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bowie State University 29%
  • JCSU 26%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bowie State University $24,391
  • JCSU $32,050
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bowie State University $252
  • JCSU $331
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bowie State University 38%
  • JCSU 47%
  • % Women
  • Bowie State University 62%
  • JCSU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bowie State University Very Low
  • JCSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • JCSU Yes
  • % White
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • JCSU 0%
  • % Asian
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • JCSU 0%
  • % Black
  • Bowie State University 86%
  • JCSU 79%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • JCSU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • JCSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • JCSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bowie State University 4%
  • JCSU 2%
  • % International
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • JCSU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bowie State University 2%
  • JCSU 9%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bowie State University 75%
  • JCSU 45%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bowie State University 22%
  • JCSU 53%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • JCSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bowie State University No
  • JCSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • JCSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bowie State University No
  • JCSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bowie State University No
  • JCSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 1,302 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
  • Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

Bowie State University vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or JCSU? 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 JCSU ($17,287 vs. $19,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 29.7% lower than at Bowie State University ($8,600 vs. $12,241).
  • Johnson C Smith University is 131.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $12,082 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $9,218.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at JCSU than at Bowie State University (about $1,362 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $19,938.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Bowie State University (93% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 123.5% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($15,238 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowie State University (940) is 50 points higher than at JCSU (890).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowie State University 796/1083; Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson C Smith University 13/18.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; JCSU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at JCSU (2.48).
  • Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than JCSU (45.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

Bowie State University vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and JCSU? 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 Johnson C Smith University's (37%).
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $7,659 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($24,391 vs. $32,050).
  • Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($252 vs. $331).
  • More Bowie State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 26%)

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.