SHU vs. Bowie State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Bowie State University in Bowie, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

SHU vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU 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 SHU ($17,287 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 36% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,241 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 446.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $41,186 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.8% higher at SHU than at Bowie State University (about $30,466 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Bowie State University (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 217.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($21,625 vs. $6,819).

SHU vs. Bowie State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU 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 SHU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowie State University 796/1083.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Bowie State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

SHU vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU 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).

• Sacred Heart University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Bowie State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $609 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($24,391 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.