Bowie State University vs. Salisbury

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowie State University vs. Salisbury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Salisbury? 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 Salisbury ($17,287 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 11.9% lower than at Salisbury University ($12,241 vs. $13,900).
• Salisbury University is 20.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $1,866 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Salisbury than at Bowie State University (about $2,236 more per year; $22,174.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Bowie State University (88% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($9,124 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Salisbury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 310 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; Salisbury University 1180/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalisbury University 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Salisbury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 18.4% at Salisbury.

Bowie State University vs. Salisbury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Bowie State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,238 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($20,153 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($208 vs. $252).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.