Delaware State University vs. Bowie State University

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

Delaware State University Bowie State University
Location Dover, DE Bowie, MD
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,828 6,408
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #925 #943
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desu.edu bowiestate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Delaware State University Bowie State University
Tuition (In State) $8,544 $5,993
Tuition (Out of State) $18,480 $16,883
Room & Board $13,634 $13,272
Avg Net Price $15,555 $16,117
Avg Grant Aid $11,842 $8,730
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 62%

Admission

Delaware State University Bowie State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,542 6,245
Admitted 4,651 5,217
Acceptance Rate 61.7% 83.5%
Enrolled % 30.2% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.09 3.12
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range 860/1070 796/1083
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 Feb 1, 2026 May 15, 2026

Academics

Delaware State University Bowie State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)

Outcomes

Delaware State University Bowie State University
Graduation Rate 35% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,600 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,500 $24,391
Median Loan Payment $294 $252

Diversity

Delaware State University Bowie State University
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 11% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 11% 3%
% Black 75% 86%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Delaware State University Bowie State University
% In-State 46% 78%
% Out-of-State 52% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bowie State University is larger than than Delaware State University based on total student enrollment (6,408 students vs. 5,828 students)

Delaware State University vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Delaware State University is 42.6% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($8,544.00 vs. $5,993.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at Delaware State University than Bowie State University ($18,480.00 vs. $16,883.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Delaware State University than Bowie State University ($15,555 vs. $16,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 2.7% lower than costs at Delaware State University ($13,272 vs. $13,634)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Delaware State University than Bowie State University (91% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Delaware State University students is 35.6% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($11,842 vs. $8,730)

Delaware State University vs. Bowie State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Delaware State University (892) is 9 points higher than at Bowie State University (883)
  • Incoming Delaware State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Delaware State University (3.09)
  • Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Delaware State University (61.7%)

Delaware State University vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Delaware State University or Bowie State 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 Bowie State University and Delaware State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than Delaware State University (41% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $13,900 more per year than Delaware State University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $36,600)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $4,109 lower median federal student loan debt than Delaware State University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $28,500)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Delaware State University graduates. ($252 vs. $294)
  • More Delaware State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 29%)

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