Bowie State University vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Kean University 17:1.

Bowie State University vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Kean? 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 Kean University than Bowie State University ($12,708 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 33% lower than at Kean University ($12,241 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 55.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $5,081 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Kean than at Bowie State University (about $2,508 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at Bowie State University (90% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 120.7% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($15,048 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Kean Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is 100 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; Kean University 930/1150.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kean students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Kean has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 18.7% at Kean.

Bowie State University vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Kean graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $609 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($24,391 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.