Bowie State University vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Plaza College 28:1.

Bowie State University vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Plaza 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 Plaza College ($17,287 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 21% lower than at Plaza College ($12,241 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 67.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $6,232 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at Bowie State University than at Plaza College (about $4,488 more per year; $19,938.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Bowie State University (93% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowie State University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($6,819 vs. $6,665).

Bowie State University vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Plaza 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 Plaza 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; Plaza College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 54.9% at Plaza College.

Bowie State University vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $10,476 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($13,915 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($143 vs. $252).
• More Plaza College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.