Bowie State University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Bowie State University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Bowie State University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or VSU? 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 VSU ($17,287 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 8.3% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,241 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $825 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at VSU than at Bowie State University (about $2,712 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Bowie State University (92% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 82.5% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($12,447 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 20 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; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Bowie State University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Bowie State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $5,109 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($24,391 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($252 vs. $305).
• More Bowie State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 28%)

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.