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#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

Bowie State University Admission Requirements

Bowie, Maryland

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Your chances of getting into Bowie State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

86.5%
Admission Difficulty for Bowie State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Bowie State University is 86.5%.  Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in Maryland.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bowie State University and can you get accepted?

Bowie State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 4,712 out of the 5,445 who applied were admitted.

Bowie State University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.12. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Bowie State University?

87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Bowie State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.12 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 920 on the SAT

Bowie State University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.12

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Bowie State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Bowie State University are to have around a 3.12 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.12 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Bowie State University accepts 87% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Bowie State University is 3.12 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #21 in Maryland for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Bowie State University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Bowie State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 7.16% Good
3.75 to 3.99 6.79% Good
3.50 to 3.74 11.73% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 14.08% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 18.27% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 31.11% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 10.49% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.37% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Bowie State University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Bowie State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 5% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

800-1048

Applicants Submitting SAT 

5%
SAT Scores for Bowie State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 410
Math 25th Percentile 390
Composite 25th Percentile 800
SAT Scores for Bowie State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 540
Math 75th Percentile 508
Composite 75th Percentile 1048
Average SAT Score 920

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Bowie State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Bowie State University is 920 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 800-1048. Students who get into Bowie State University score in the top 91 percent of all SAT test takers..  Bowie State University ranks #19 in the state of Maryland for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 920 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Bowie State University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 800 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 800, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 680, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Bowie State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 920 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 924, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1048 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

Bowie State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1048 and Above Good >93%
924 to 1048 Avg + 87%-93%
800 to 924 Avg - 78%-87%
676 to 800 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 676 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

Bowie State University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Bowie State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Bowie State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

High School Class Rank

High School Class Rank for admitted Bowie State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 2.53%
Top 25% of class 0%
Top 50% of class 0%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Bowie State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,679 1,766 5,445
Accepted 3,257 1,455 4,712
Acceptance Rate 89% 82% 87%
Enrolled 738 450 1,188
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 31% 25%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

141

Applicants have 141 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on May 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bowie State University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bowie State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bowie State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Bowie State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Bowie State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=162007 IPEDS survey data for Bowie State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024