Bowie State University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

Bowie State University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or RU? 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 Radford University than Bowie State University ($16,749 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 2.1% lower than at Radford University ($12,241 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 36.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $3,330 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at RU than at Bowie State University (about $5,695 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Bowie State University (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 74.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($11,870 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 110 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; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRadford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Bowie State University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $1,391 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($237 vs. $252).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.