The Catholic University of America vs. Bowie State University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Bowie State University in Bowie, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than The Catholic University of America based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Bowie State University? 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 The Catholic University of America ($17,287 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 32.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,241 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 533.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $49,160 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 192.8% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Bowie State University (about $38,440 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Bowie State University (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 525.6% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($42,657 vs. $6,819).

The Catholic University of America vs. Bowie State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Bowie State University? 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 Bowie State University and The Catholic University of America.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowie State University 796/1083.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Bowie State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• The Catholic University of America has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

The Catholic University of America vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Bowie State University? 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).

• The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Bowie State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $1,715 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($24,391 vs. $26,106).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($252 vs. $269).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.