Bowie State Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 72.41%. Moderately selective, indicating a less competitive admission process.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,218
- Out-of-State Tuition: $19,938
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at Bowie State:
- Total Enrollment: 6,353, including 724 online students
- 5,136 Undergraduate, 1,217 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 37.8% men, 62.2% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 38%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 30%. A significant portion of students transfer to other institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 68%. Lower retention, which may reflect challenges in student engagement or support.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 68 academic programs available.
- Graduate Programs: 26 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
Bowie State Overview
Bowie State University (Bowie State) is a four-year, public school located in Bowie, MD. It is a historically black college/university. Bowie State University was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (larger programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The Bowie State's tuition & fees is $9,218 for Maryland residents and $19,938 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 46% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $6,216.
The school has a total enrollment of 6,353 and the students to faculty ratio is 15 to 1 (6.67%).
Bowie State's acceptance rate is 72.41% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 27.27%.
Bowie State ranked 17th in Maryland Colleges rankings. Bowie State University is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Bowie State University is $9,218 for in-state students and $19,938 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $10,854 for in-state students and $15,768 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $9,442 for Maryland residents and $20,037 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $11,564 for Maryland residents and $16,289 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,218 | $19,938 |
|---|
| Graduate | $10,854 | $15,768 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,442 | $20,037 |
|---|
| Graduate | $11,564 | $16,289 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Bowie State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Bowie State
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Bowie State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Bowie State