Western Illinois University vs. Bowie State University

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

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
Location Macomb, IL Bowie, MD
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,073 6,408
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #943
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu bowiestate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $5,993
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $16,883
Room & Board $10,920 $13,272
Avg Net Price $12,168 $16,117
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $8,730
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 62%

Admission

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 6,245
Admitted 6,356 5,217
Acceptance Rate 75% 83.5%
Enrolled % 15.2% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.12
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 796/1083
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2026

Academics

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,391
Median Loan Payment $255 $252

Diversity

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
% Men 12% 5%
% Women 17% 12%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 3%
% Black 19% 86%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University Bowie State University
% In-State 90% 78%
% Out-of-State 8% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 6,408 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 63.5% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $5,993.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.3% higher at Bowie State University than Western Illinois University ($16,883.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Bowie State University ($12,168 vs. $16,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 21.5% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($10,920 vs. $13,272)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowie State University than Western Illinois University (62% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 78.9% larger than aid received Bowie State University ($15,620 vs. $8,730)

Western Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 87 points higher than at Bowie State University (883)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Bowie State University (3.12)
  • Bowie State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western 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 Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Bowie State University (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $46,000)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $313 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $24,704)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($252 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 29%)

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