UnisHub University Compass

Bowie State University (BSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Bowie State University

Rooted in a proud HBCU legacy, Bowie State University is known for hands-on learning across STEM, education, business, the arts, and public service. The campus balances a close-knit feel with practical resources: well-equipped labs and studios, a lively library, career and tutoring centers, counseling, and welcoming residence halls. Faculty teach and mentor, and it shows in the day-to-day.

And student life hums with organizations, cultural events, leadership opportunities, and spirited game days, plus intramurals and a busy rec center. Career preparation leans on the region, with internships and alumni connections across the Washington and Baltimore corridor, from government and schools to tech and health care. The Bowie community offers suburban comfort with quick reach to museums, parks, and employers. Homecoming, the band, and Bulldog pride set the tone. Notable alumni include Toni Braxton.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie, Maryland, 20715, USA
Unit ID
162007

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
MSCHE
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Campus Setting
Located in a large suburb (outside principal city, 250,000+ population)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Large programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$8,999
Tuition $5,993 + Fee $3,006
Out-of-State
$19,839
Tuition $16,833 + Fee $3,006
Student Profile
Total Students 6,408
Undergraduate 5,207
Graduate/Other 1,201
Male: 2,414 Female: 3,994
Applications
Total Applicants 6,245
Admitted 5,217
Enrolled 991
Acceptance: 83.5% Yield: 19%
Staff
Total Staff 1,178
Full-time 748
Part-time 430
Full-time: 63.5% Part-time: 36.5%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Bowie State University (BSU) offers 39 degree programs across 18 major academic fields, graduating approximately 983 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (4 programs, 162 graduates), Computer & IT (4 programs, 146 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 117 graduates), Security & Safety (1 programs, 89 graduates) and Media Tech (1 programs, 79 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (4 programs, 162 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 125
Bachelor's
52.0201
Human Resources Development 19
Master's
52.1005
Business Administration 17
Master's
52.0101
Project Management 1
Postbac Cert.
52.0211
Computer & IT (4 programs, 146 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer and Information Sciences 59
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
11.0101
Computer and Information Sciences, Other 58
Bachelor's
11.9999
Information Science 20
Master's
11.0401
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 9
Master's
11.0901
Psychology (3 programs, 117 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 84
Bachelor's
42.0101
Counseling Psychology 22
Master's
42.2803
School Psychology 11
Master's
Post-Master's
42.2805
Security & Safety (1 programs, 89 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies 89
Bachelor's
43.0104
Media Tech (1 programs, 79 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology 79
Bachelor's
10.0202
Education (8 programs, 78 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 20
Bachelor's
13.1202
Special Education Teaching 12
Master's
13.1001
Reading Teacher Education 12
Master's
13.1315
School Counseling and Guidance 11
Master's
13.1101
Kindergarten and Preschool Education 10
Bachelor's
13.1209
Superintendency and Educational Administration 5
Doctorate (R)
13.0411
Secondary Education and Teaching 4
Master's
13.1205
Teacher Education and Professional Development 4
Master's
13.1299
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 52 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 46
Bachelor's
26.0101
Bioinformatics 6
Bachelor's
26.1103
Arts (3 programs, 51 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Design and Visual Communications 35
Bachelor's
50.0401
Theatre Arts 9
Bachelor's
50.0501
Art Studies 7
Bachelor's
50.0701
Health (2 programs, 41 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 27
Bachelor's
Master's
51.3801
Mental Health Counseling 14
Master's
51.1508
Public Services (2 programs, 37 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Public Administration 21
Master's
44.0401
Social Work 16
Bachelor's
44.0701

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Bowie State University (BSU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
796 - 1083
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 423 - 540
Median: 485
Math 373 - 543
Median: 450

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$26,431
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$37,271
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$8,999
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$19,839
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$13,272 (on) / $16,611 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$2,500
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$1,660
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$1,660
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$10,188
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,264
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

22%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$8,730
Avg. Loan
$10,151
Avg. Federal Loan
$10,151
Additional
Students with Any Grant
721
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
568
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
629
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$7,317
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

38%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
70%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$32,913 – $78,678
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$32,913 (25th %) $78,678 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $54,537
Median Salary After 6 Years
$43,877
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$54,537
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
30.6%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
43.9%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$22,985
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 28.5%
Middle 30.7%
High 33.9%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 29.7%
Independent 33.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Bowie State University (BSU)

How much does it cost to attend Bowie State University (BSU)?

The annual tuition at Bowie State University (BSU) is $8,999 for in-state students and $19,839 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,431 for in-state students and $37,271 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,272 (on) / $16,611 (off) and books and supplies $2,500.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Bowie State University offer?

Bowie State University (BSU) offers 39 academic programs across 18 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
  • Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (4 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
  • Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (1 programs)
  • Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Bowie State University?

Bowie State University (BSU) has an 83.5% acceptance rate and a 19% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 6,245
  • Students admitted: 5,217
  • Students enrolled: 991

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Bowie State University?

Bowie State University (BSU) provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,730 and average loans of $10,151.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,120
  • State/Local grants: $5,760
  • Institutional grants: $7,317
  • Federal loans: $10,151

The university supports 721 students with grants and 568 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Bowie State University graduates?

Bowie State University (BSU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,877 after 6 years and $54,537 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $32,913 (25th percentile) to $78,678 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $92,900 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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