Bowie State University vs. TU

Deciding between Bowie State University and Towson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bowie State University
Towson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bowie State University Bowie, MD
  • TU Towson, MD
  • Setting
  • Bowie State University Large Suburban
  • TU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowie State University 6,353
  • TU 19,401
  • Type
  • Bowie State University Public 4 Year
  • TU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bowie State University #893
  • TU #396
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bowie State University -
  • TU -
  • Status
  • Bowie State University Non-profit
  • TU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bowie State University
  • TU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bowie State University $9,218
  • TU $11,728
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bowie State University $19,938
  • TU $29,820
  • Room & Board
  • Bowie State University $12,241
  • TU $16,260
  • Average Net Price
  • Bowie State University $17,287
  • TU $16,653
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University $6,819
  • TU $11,820
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bowie State University 54%
  • TU 73%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bowie State University 4,669
  • TU 19,777
  • Admitted
  • Bowie State University 3,381
  • TU 16,212
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bowie State University 72.4%
  • TU 82%
  • Enrolled
  • Bowie State University 27.3%
  • TU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowie State University 940
  • TU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowie State University
  • TU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bowie State University 3.12
  • TU 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bowie State University B
  • TU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bowie State University Extremely Easy
  • TU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bowie State University Low
  • TU
  • ACT Range
  • Bowie State University
  • TU 19/27
  • SAT Range
  • Bowie State University 796/1083
  • TU 950/1235
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bowie State University Test optional
  • TU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Bowie State University May 15, 2027
  • TU Apr 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bowie State University 15:1
  • TU 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bowie State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communications Technology (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • TU
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bowie State University 41%
  • TU 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bowie State University $50,500
  • TU $53,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bowie State University 29%
  • TU 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bowie State University $24,391
  • TU $17,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bowie State University $252
  • TU $183
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bowie State University 38%
  • TU 38%
  • % Women
  • Bowie State University 62%
  • TU 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bowie State University Very Low
  • TU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • TU No
  • % White
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • TU 61%
  • % Asian
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • TU 5%
  • % Black
  • Bowie State University 86%
  • TU 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bowie State University 3%
  • TU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • TU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bowie State University 0%
  • TU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bowie State University 4%
  • TU 4%
  • % International
  • Bowie State University 1%
  • TU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bowie State University 2%
  • TU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bowie State University 75%
  • TU 88%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bowie State University 22%
  • TU 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • TU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bowie State University No
  • TU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bowie State University Yes
  • TU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bowie State University No
  • TU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bowie State University No
  • TU Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowie State University vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or TU? 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 Towson University than Bowie State University ($16,653 vs. $17,287).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 24.7% lower than at Towson University ($12,241 vs. $16,260).
  • Towson University is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $2,510 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $9,218.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.6% higher at TU than at Bowie State University (about $9,882 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $19,938.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at Bowie State University (73% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 73.3% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($11,820 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Towson University (1090) is 150 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; Towson University 950/1235.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTowson University 19/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; TU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
  • TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 18.2% at TU.

Bowie State University vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
  • Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Bowie State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $6,641 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,391).
  • Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($183 vs. $252).
  • More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.