Skip to content

Bowie State University vs Salisbury University

Bowie State University is a public university in Bowie, MD, and Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, MD. Bowie State University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 72% of applicants against 87% at Salisbury University. Salisbury University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,743 a year against $19,298 at Bowie State University. About 68% of students graduate at Salisbury University, compared with 38% at Bowie State University. Ten years after enrolling, Salisbury University alumni earn a median of about $61,515, against $54,537 for Bowie State University.

Bowie State University

Bowie, MD · Public

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Bowie, MD
Salisbury, MD
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,043
6,057
Acceptance rate
72%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.3–3.8
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
796–1083
1180–1320
ACT (middle 50%)
17–20
20–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,298
$17,743
Full cost / yr
$25,220
$28,310
In-state tuition
$9,218
$11,084
Out-of-state tuition
$19,938
$22,174
Application fee
$40
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$17,071
$6,743
$30k - $48k
$16,646
$9,915
$48k - $75k
$19,163
$12,909
$75k - $110k
$22,808
$16,669
Over $110k
$24,919
$22,759
Outcomes
Graduation rate
38%
68%
Freshman retention
68%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,877
$51,926
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,537
$61,515
Median debt at graduation
$22,985
$21,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
44%
26%
First-generation students
36%
29%
International students
2%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Dec 1
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jun 1
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bowie State University or Salisbury University harder to get into?
Bowie State University is harder to get into. It admits about 72% of applicants, compared with 87% at Salisbury University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bowie State University or Salisbury University?
Salisbury University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,743 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,298 at Bowie State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bowie State University and Salisbury University?
Before aid, Bowie State University costs about $25,220 a year and Salisbury University about $28,310. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bowie State University or Salisbury University?
Salisbury University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,743 there, against about $17,071 at Bowie State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bowie State University or Salisbury University?
Salisbury University is the larger of the two, with about 6,057 undergraduates against 5,043 at Bowie State University.
Does Bowie State University or Salisbury University have a better graduation rate?
Salisbury University has the higher graduation rate, at about 68% against 38% at Bowie State University.
Do graduates of Bowie State University or Salisbury University earn more?
Salisbury University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $61,515 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,537 for Bowie State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bowie State University and Salisbury University require SAT or ACT scores?
Bowie State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Salisbury University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Bowie State University and Salisbury University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 796–1083 at Bowie State University and 1180–1320 at Salisbury University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school