Northeastern Illinois University vs. Bowie State University

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

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
Location Chicago, IL Bowie, MD
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,756 6,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #962
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu bowiestate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $5,811
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $16,533
Room & Board $10,742 $12,468
Avg Net Price $14,262 $13,886
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $9,463
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 76%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 5,445
Admitted 2,886 4,712
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 86.5%
Enrolled % 17.9% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.12
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010 800/1048
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 Jul 15, 2025 May 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
Graduation Rate 23% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $24,391
Median Loan Payment $149 $252

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 33% 3%
% Black 10% 86%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Bowie State University
% In-State 97% 78%
% Out-of-State 2% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bowie State University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,275 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Bowie State University?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 73.7% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $5,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.1% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Bowie State University ($20,182.00 vs. $16,533.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Northeastern Illinois University ($13,886 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 16.1% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($10,742 vs. $12,468)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than Bowie State University (85% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 60% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($15,143 vs. $9,463)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Bowie State University (883) is 13 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Northeastern Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (18) as students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Bowie State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (41% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $10,500 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $9,891 lower median federal student loan debt than Bowie State University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,391)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $103 less per month on federal student loans than Bowie State University graduates. ($149 vs. $252)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 29%)

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