Bowie State University campus
Bowie State University logo

Bowie State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Medium
Dormitory capacity 1,600
Student to faculty ratio 18 to 1
Acceptance rate 87%
Students retention rate 72%
On-time graduation rate 42%

Located in Bowie, Maryland, Bowie State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 87% indicates that Bowie State is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Bowie State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at Bowie State is 18-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Maryland is 13-to-1, while the national average is 17-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at Bowie State is reported to be 42%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Maryland state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 55% whereas the national average was 49%.

The student retention rate of 72% at Bowie State suggests that a significant percentage of students choose to continue their studies at the institution after their first-year.


  • Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • HBCU
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

87%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,558

Cost of attendance at Bowie State University in 2022 for students from Maryland.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Maryland's average $9,814
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$19,298

Cost of attendance at Bowie State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Maryland's average $22,808
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 78 of freshman students at Bowie State University received on average $9,115 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$9,115
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 506 53% $5,074 $2,567,270
Other Federal Grant 694 73% $5,288 $3,670,067
State Grant/Scholarships 299 31% $5,192 $1,552,350
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 464 48% $3,359 $1,558,787
Total Grant & Scholarships 744 78% $9,115 $6,781,204

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Bowie State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Bowie State University students is 41.9%. Female students graduated at a rate of 47.4%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 33.8%.

41.9%

  • asian 40.0% 2 students
  • African American 41.1% 197 students
  • white 57.1% 4 students
  • unknown 46.1% 6 students
  • hispanic 39.1% 9 students
  • Mixed Race 57.1% 16 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Basketball Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Bowie State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Bowie State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)