Bowie State University vs. MSU

Deciding between Bowie State University and Midwestern State 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
Midwestern State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bowie State University Bowie, MD
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • Bowie State University Large Suburban
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowie State University 6,353
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • Bowie State University Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bowie State University #893
  • MSU #878
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bowie State University -
  • MSU -
  • Status
  • Bowie State University Non-profit
  • MSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bowie State University
  • MSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bowie State University $9,218
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bowie State University $19,938
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & Board
  • Bowie State University $12,241
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average Net Price
  • Bowie State University $17,287
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University $6,819
  • MSU $11,037
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University 54%
  • MSU 92%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bowie State University 4,669
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • Bowie State University 3,381
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bowie State University 72.4%
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Bowie State University 27.3%
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowie State University 940
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowie State University
  • MSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bowie State University 3.12
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bowie State University B
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bowie State University Extremely Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bowie State University Low
  • MSU
  • ACT Range
  • Bowie State University
  • MSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Bowie State University 796/1083
  • MSU 910/1100
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bowie State University Test optional
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Bowie State University May 15, 2027
  • MSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bowie State University 15:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bowie State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communications Technology (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bowie State University 41%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bowie State University $50,500
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bowie State University 29%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bowie State University $24,391
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bowie State University $252
  • MSU $230
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bowie State University 38%
  • MSU 36%
  • % Women
  • Bowie State University 62%
  • MSU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bowie State University Very Low
  • MSU High
  • HBCU
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • MSU No
  • % White
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • MSU 52%
  • % Asian
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • MSU 3%
  • % Black
  • Bowie State University 86%
  • MSU 14%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • MSU 17%
  • % Native American
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • MSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • MSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bowie State University 4%
  • MSU 4%
  • % International
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • MSU 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bowie State University 2%
  • MSU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bowie State University 75%
  • MSU 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bowie State University 22%
  • MSU 3%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 5,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Bowie State University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than Bowie State University ($11,215 vs. $17,287).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 9.1% lower than at Bowie State University ($11,124 vs. $12,241).
  • Midwestern State University is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $1,362 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $9,218.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at Bowie State University than at Midwestern State University (about $7,408 more per year; $19,938.00 vs. $12,530.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Bowie State University (92% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 61.9% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($11,037 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 70 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; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMidwestern State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Bowie State University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and MSU? 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 Midwestern State University's (34%).
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Midwestern State University graduates have a $2,092 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($22,299 vs. $24,391).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($230 vs. $252).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.