Bowie State University vs. WVSU

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

Bowie State University WVSU
Location Bowie, MD Institute, WV
Setting Large Suburban Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 6,408 3,458
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #943 #1003
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowiestate.edu wvstateu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowie State University WVSU
Tuition (In State) $5,993 $8,524
Tuition (Out of State) $16,883 $13,948
Room & Board $13,272 $12,936
Avg Net Price $16,117 $10,878
Avg Grant Aid $8,730 $8,657
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 83%

Admission

Bowie State University WVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,245 4,465
Admitted 5,217 4,303
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 96.4%
Enrolled % 19% 7.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.12 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 796/1083 830/1073
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 WVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Bowie State University WVSU
Graduation Rate 41% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $32,700
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,391 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $252 $240

Diversity

Bowie State University WVSU
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 12% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 65%
% Black 86% 14%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 10%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

Bowie State University WVSU
% In-State 78% 81%
% Out-of-State 19% 17%

Campus

Bowie State University WVSU
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

  • Bowie State University is larger than than WVSU based on total student enrollment (6,408 students vs. 3,458 students)

Bowie State University vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

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

  • West Virginia State University is 42.2% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($8,524.00 vs. $5,993.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21% higher at Bowie State University than West Virginia State University ($16,883.00 vs. $13,948.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia State University than Bowie State University ($10,878 vs. $16,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 2.6% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($12,936 vs. $13,272)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia State University than Bowie State University (83% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowie State University students is 0.8% larger than aid received West Virginia State University ($8,730 vs. $8,657)

Bowie State University vs. WVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Virginia State University (927) is 44 points higher than at Bowie State University (883)
  • Incoming WVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Bowie State University (3.12)
  • WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Bowie State University (83.5%)

Bowie State University vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowie State University or WVSU? 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 WVSU and Bowie State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than West Virginia State University (41% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $17,800 more per year than WVSU graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $32,700)
  • West Virginia State University students graduate with a $1,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Bowie State University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,391)
  • WVSU graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Bowie State University graduates. ($240 vs. $252)
  • More WVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 29%)

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