Bowie State University vs. Virginia Union University

Should I go to Bowie State University or Virginia Union University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowie State University or Virginia Union 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. Virginia Union University comparison
Bowie State University Virginia Union University College 3 College 4
Bowie State University Virginia Union University
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Overview

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
Location Bowie, MD Richmond, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,408 1,662
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #943 #1019
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowiestate.edu vuu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
Tuition (In State) $5,993 $10,530
Tuition (Out of State) $16,883 $10,530
Room & Board $13,272 $9,552
Avg Net Price $16,117 $20,207
Avg Grant Aid $8,730 $14,751
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 88%

Admission

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,245 2,771
Admitted 5,217 2,708
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 97.7%
Enrolled % 19% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.12 2.71
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 796/1083 750/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2026

Academics

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Social Sciences (35%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
Graduation Rate 41% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 19%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,391 $33,750
Median Loan Payment $252 $348

Diversity

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
% Men 5% 16%
% Women 12% 14%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 1%
% Black 86% 94%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Bowie State University Virginia Union University
% In-State 78% 60%
% Out-of-State 19% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bowie State University is larger than than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (6,408 students vs. 1,662 students)

Bowie State University vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Virginia Union University?

  • Virginia Union University is 75.7% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($10,530.00 vs. $5,993.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.3% higher at Bowie State University than Virginia Union University ($16,883.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Virginia Union University ($16,117 vs. $20,207)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 38.9% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($9,552 vs. $13,272)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Union University than Bowie State University (88% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 69% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($14,751 vs. $8,730)

Bowie State University vs. Virginia Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bowie State University (883) is 111 points higher than at Virginia Union University (772)
  • Incoming Bowie State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at Virginia Union University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71)
  • Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Bowie State University (83.5%)

Bowie State University vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowie State University or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University and Bowie State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than Virginia Union University (41% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $17,200 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $33,300)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $9,359 lower median federal student loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $33,750)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $96 less per month on federal student loans than Virginia Union University graduates. ($252 vs. $348)
  • More Bowie State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 19%)

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