Bowie State University
Bowie State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bowie State University at a Glance
Bowie State University is a public historically black university in the Prince George's County of the U.S. state of Maryland, north of Bowie. It is part of the University System of Maryland. Founded in 1865, Bowie State is Maryland's oldest historically black university and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
1865
161 years old
5,970
4,810 undergrad · 1,160 grad
Identity
Is Bowie State University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Bowie State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,537 — 1% above average — while paying $19,298/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bowie State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bowie State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #109 of 125 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #5 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #6 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #109 | Bowie State University | 27 | $19,298 | $54,537 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bowie State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Bowie State University
The highest-earning program at Bowie State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Bowie State University earns $61,700, while a Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduate earns $25,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $24,195 for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,298/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,700 | $61,700 | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | $55,600 | $55,600 | $25,357 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,100 | $45,100 | $24,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,900 | $34,900 | $25,375 |
| Psychology, General | $34,000 | $34,000 | $23,401 |
| Sociology | $33,500 | $33,500 | $23,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,400 | $31,400 | $20,450 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $25,200 | $25,200 | $24,195 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bowie, MD
- Student Body
- 5,043 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,298
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,537
- Median Student Debt
- $22,985