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Bowie , MD
Bowie State University is a public historically black university located in Bowie, Maryland. Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest historically black colleges in the United States. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including business and economics, education, computer science, nursing, and the arts. Bowie State prides itself on its commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages intellectual growth, personal development, and social responsibility.
Bowie State University is known for its strong academic programs and faculty who are dedicated to student success. The campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, and recreational spaces. The university focuses on hands-on learning and provides various internship and co-operative education opportunities to help students gain practical experience in their fields of study.
Beyond academics, Bowie State University provides a vibrant campus life with a variety of clubs, organizations, and events that cater to diverse interests and backgrounds. The university is also home to an NCAA Division II athletic program, offering opportunities for student-athletes to excel competitively. With its rich history, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to fostering an inclusive community, Bowie State University continues to be a leading institution that prepares its students for successful careers in a rapidly changing world.
Bowie State University is a public university located in Bowie, MD. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at Bowie State University is 68%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. Here are some recent information on important things to consider about Bowie State University.
Quick Facts
5,136
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Learn some vital data about admission policy and requirements at Bowie State University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,381 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 5.8% and ACT scores 0.4%. 1.88% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 15.09% between 1,000 and 1,199, 52.83% between 800 and 999, and 30.18% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 18-23 was 25 and 75 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.16. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Bowie State University.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to this school is August 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Bowie State University was 68%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 6,353 students.
That year, the school had 15.55% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 5,136 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 78 international students. The school admitted a total of 428 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,875 male and 2,929 female full-time students in 2025. 165 full-time graduate men and 306 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Bowie State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 47, while the number of African American students was 4,107. 287 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 216 as multirace. The school also had 12 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 21 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 140 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important facts on Bowie State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Bowie State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $5,993 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $16,833. Tuition costs at Bowie State University for international students came to $16,833. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $3,006 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $16,833 | $3,006 | $19,839 |
| In-State | $5,993 | $3,006 | $8,999 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant expense. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,250.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Bowie State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $13,870. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $7,852 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 5,993 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,870 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,250 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,113 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Bowie State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 733 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $10,209.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
2,250 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Bowie State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,320. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $13,486,297, and state $5,196,780. The students of Bowie State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $4,700,890, and external in the amount of $1,759,719.
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,531 students overall (including freshmen) at Bowie State University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 311 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $40,295. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $10,995 USD.
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Bowie State University was 15:1: that means 15 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 545 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 227 men and 318 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Bowie State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Bowie State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about social life at Bowie State University.
Its campus spans 295 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 52 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 6 percent of male and 10 of female students are participants in different organizations at Bowie State University. If you are interested in music, you can join the Bowie State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Bowie State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Bowie State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Bowie State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Bowie State University.
Career Counselling
At Bowie State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD.
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Bowie State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Bowie State University is 75%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Bowie State University is 68%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
