Bowie State University vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Bowie State University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Bowie State University ($10,346 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 8.7% lower than at Rhode Island College ($12,241 vs. $13,414).
• Rhode Island College is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $2,082 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at RIC than at Bowie State University (about $7,361 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Bowie State University (95% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowie State University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($6,819 vs. $6,706).

Bowie State University vs. RIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island College (1000) is 60 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; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Bowie State University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,191 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($219 vs. $252).
• More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.