Bowie State University Admissions

Bowie State University Admissions Overview:

57% of students who apply to Bowie State are accepted each year--this makes the school neither highly selective nor open to everyone. Students who apply need to submit scores from the SAT or ACT, as well as submit an application online. In addition, applicants need to submit a high school transcript and an application fee. 

Admissions Data (2016):

• Bowie State University Acceptance Rate: 41%
• GPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Bowie State Admissions
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 400 / 480
  • SAT Math: 380 / 460
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
  • ACT Composite: 15 / 19
  • ACT English: 12 / 15
  • ACT Math: 10 / 12
  • ACT Writing: - / -
    • What these ACT numbers mean

Bowie State University Description:

Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is one of the country's oldest historically Black colleges or universities. The 295-acre campus is strategically located in Bowie, Maryland, a town midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC (see other DC colleges). Bowie State is a public university and part of the University System of Maryland. Undergraduates can choose from 235 majors, and the university also offers 35 master's, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs. Academics are supported by ta 16 to 1 student / faculty ratio. The campus has had many recent upgrades including a new student center that opened in 2013. Bowie State has a significant traditional residential student population, but also offers evening and online courses for working adults. The most popular bachelor's degree program is in business. In athletics, the Bowie State Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The university fields five men's and eight women's sports.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 5,669 (4,711 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 38% Male / 62% Female
• 84% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $7,880 (in-state); $18,416 (out-of-state)
• Books: $2,200 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $10,200
• Other Expenses: $1,600
• Total Cost: $21,880 (in-state); $32,416 (out-of-state)

Bowie State University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 91%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 74%
  • Loans: 72%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,417
  • Loans: $6,628

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Art, Biology, Business Administration, Communications, Computer Science, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology

Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 75%
• Transfer Out Rate: 26%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 12%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 37%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

• Men's Sports: Football, Track and Field, Basketball, Cross Country
• Women's Sports: Tennis, Softball, Volleyball, Bowling, Track and Field, Basketball

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

If You Like Bowie State University, You May Also Like These Schools:

Students looking for other mid-sized HBCUs should also check out Grambling State University, Alcorn State University, Spelman College, and Lincoln University.

For those interested in a public college or university located in Maryland or Washington DC, choices similar to Bowie State include the University of Baltimore, Frostburg State University, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University.