Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Bowie, Maryland |
| Online | bowiestate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Bowie State University, located in Bowie, Maryland, sits on a suburban 300-acre campus approximately 25 miles east of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1865, it is Maryland's oldest historically Black university and was originally established as a normal school for teacher training. The university maintains a comprehensive academic program with notable strengths in nursing, computer science, and education, while also housing the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing in a state-of-the-art facility. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including suite-style residence halls that house approximately one-third of the undergraduate population, and competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Bulldogs.
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bowie State University is rated within the lower 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bowie State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#943 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#385 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Colleges in Maryland
#9 in Best Public Colleges in Maryland
#39 in Best Value Colleges in Maryland
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 796/1083 |
| GPA | 3.12 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 15, 2026 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Maryland Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,500 |
| Other Fees | $3,006 |
| Room and Board | $13,272 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,660 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,431 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,500 |
| Other Fees | $3,006 |
| Room and Board | $13,272 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,660 |
| Total One Year Cost | $37,321 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 23% |
| Psychology | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Communications Technology | 10% |
| Health Professions | 10% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bowie State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=162007 IPEDS survey data for Bowie State University.
Current students may use the Bowie State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025