Bowie State University vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

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

Bowie State University is larger than McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowie State University vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($17,287 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 5.6% lower than at McDaniel College ($12,241 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 465% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $42,863 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.2% higher at McDaniel College than at Bowie State University (about $32,143 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Bowie State University (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 497.2% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($40,721 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or McDaniel 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 McDaniel 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; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

Bowie State University vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Bowie State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $2,609 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($24,391 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.