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Bowie State University vs St. Mary's College of Maryland

Bowie State University is a public university in Bowie, MD. St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public college in St. Mary's City, MD. St. Mary's College of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants and Bowie State University about 72%, making St. Mary's College of Maryland the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,441 a year at St. Mary's College of Maryland after aid, and about $19,298 at Bowie State University. About 69% of students graduate at St. Mary's College of Maryland, compared with 38% at Bowie State University. Ten years after enrolling, St. Mary's College of Maryland alumni earn a median of about $60,110, against $54,537 for Bowie State University.

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Bowie State University

Bowie, MD · Public

St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's City, MD · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Bowie, MD
St. Mary's City, MD
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
5,043
1,603
Acceptance rate
72%
69%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.3–3.8
3.48–3.98
SAT (middle 50%)
796–1083
1143–1340
ACT (middle 50%)
17–20
26–31
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,298
$18,441
Full cost / yr
$25,220
$31,865
In-state tuition
$9,218
$15,298
Out-of-state tuition
$19,938
$31,374
Application fee
$40
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$17,071
$2,889
$30k - $48k
$16,646
$12,053
$48k - $75k
$19,163
$15,033
$75k - $110k
$22,808
$19,796
Over $110k
$24,919
$25,173
Outcomes
Graduation rate
38%
69%
Freshman retention
68%
86%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,877
$52,286
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,537
$60,110
Median debt at graduation
$22,985
$21,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
44%
21%
First-generation students
36%
23%
International students
2%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Dec 1
Nov 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland harder to get into?
St. Mary's College of Maryland is harder to get into. It admits about 69% of applicants, compared with 72% 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.
Which is cheaper, Bowie State University or St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,441 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Before aid, Bowie State University costs about $25,220 a year and St. Mary's College of Maryland about $31,865. 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,889 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Bowie State University is the larger of the two, with about 5,043 undergraduates against 1,603 at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Does Bowie State University or St. Mary's College of Maryland have a better graduation rate?
St. Mary's College of Maryland has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 38% at Bowie State University.
Do graduates of Bowie State University or St. Mary's College of Maryland earn more?
St. Mary's College of Maryland alumni earn more on average: a median of about $60,110 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland require SAT or ACT scores?
Bowie State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. St. Mary's College of Maryland considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Bowie State University and St. Mary's College of Maryland look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 796–1083 at Bowie State University and 1143–1340 at St. Mary's College of Maryland. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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