EIU vs. Bowie State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Bowie State University in Bowie, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

EIU vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than Bowie State University ($13,787 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 0.3% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($12,241 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 48.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $4,461 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at Bowie State University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $3,721 more per year; $19,938.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Bowie State University (95% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($12,960 vs. $6,819).

EIU vs. Bowie State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is 50 points higher than at Bowie State University (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Bowie State University 796/1083.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Bowie State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

EIU vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $741 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($23,650 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($244 vs. $252).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.