Bowie State University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

Bowie State University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($17,287 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 29% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($12,241 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 248.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $22,932 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Bowie State University (about $12,212 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Bowie State University (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students is 119.8% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($14,989 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Bowie State University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $2,609 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($24,391 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.