Bowie State University vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to Bowie State University or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowie State University or Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowie State University vs. Tennessee State University comparison
Bowie State University Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Bowie State University Tennessee State University
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Overview

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Location Bowie, MD Nashville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 6,275 9,218
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #962
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowiestate.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $5,811 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $16,533 $20,484
Room & Board $12,468 $8,542
Avg Net Price $13,886 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $9,463 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 98%

Admission

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,445 -
Admitted 4,712 -
Acceptance Rate 86.5% Open
Enrolled % 25.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.12 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 800/1048
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2025

Academics

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 41% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,391 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $252 $289

Diversity

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
% Men 37% 34%
% Women 63% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 14%
% Black 86% 70%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 11%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
% In-State 78% 38%
% Out-of-State 19% 61%

Campus

Bowie State University Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Tennessee State University is larger than than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (9,218 students vs. 6,275 students)

Bowie State University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Tennessee State University?

  • Tennessee State University is 22.7% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($7,128.00 vs. $5,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.9% higher at Tennessee State University than Bowie State University ($20,484.00 vs. $16,533.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than Bowie State University ($11,986 vs. $13,886)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 46% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($8,542 vs. $12,468)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Tennessee State University than Bowie State University (98% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 83% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($17,315 vs. $9,463)

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Tennessee State University or Bowie State University .

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Bowie State University (3.12)

Bowie State University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowie State University or Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Tennessee State University and Bowie State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than Tennessee State University (41% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $12,100 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $38,400)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $3,609 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $28,000)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($252 vs. $289)
  • More Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/