Bowie State University vs. Marshall University

Deciding between Bowie State University and Marshall 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
Marshall University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bowie State University Bowie, MD
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • Bowie State University Large Suburban
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowie State University 6,353
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • Bowie State University Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bowie State University #893
  • Marshall University #868
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bowie State University -
  • Marshall University -
  • Status
  • Bowie State University Non-profit
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bowie State University
  • Marshall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bowie State University $9,218
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bowie State University $19,938
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & Board
  • Bowie State University $12,241
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average Net Price
  • Bowie State University $17,287
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University $6,819
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University 54%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bowie State University 4,669
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • Bowie State University 3,381
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bowie State University 72.4%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Bowie State University 27.3%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowie State University 940
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowie State University
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bowie State University 3.12
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bowie State University B
  • Marshall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bowie State University Extremely Easy
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bowie State University Low
  • Marshall University
  • ACT Range
  • Bowie State University
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • Bowie State University 796/1083
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bowie State University Test optional
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Bowie State University May 15, 2027
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bowie State University 15:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bowie State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communications Technology (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bowie State University 41%
  • Marshall University 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bowie State University $50,500
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bowie State University 29%
  • Marshall University 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bowie State University $24,391
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bowie State University $252
  • Marshall University $239
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bowie State University 38%
  • Marshall University 41%
  • % Women
  • Bowie State University 62%
  • Marshall University 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bowie State University Very Low
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • Marshall University No
  • % White
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • Marshall University 84%
  • % Asian
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Black
  • Bowie State University 86%
  • Marshall University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • Marshall University 2%
  • % Native American
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bowie State University 4%
  • Marshall University 3%
  • % International
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bowie State University 2%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bowie State University 75%
  • Marshall University 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bowie State University 22%
  • Marshall University 23%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Marshall University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowie State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University than Bowie State University ($8,076 vs. $17,287).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 7.9% lower than at Marshall University ($12,241 vs. $13,292).
  • Bowie State University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $56 more per year; $9,218.00 vs. $9,162.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Marshall University than at Bowie State University (about $404 more per year; $20,342.00 vs. $19,938.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at Bowie State University (97% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 97.2% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($13,448 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marshall University (1030) is 90 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; Marshall University 910/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarshall University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Marshall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

Bowie State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Marshall University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $1,257 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($23,134 vs. $24,391).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($239 vs. $252).
  • More Marshall University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.