Back to Colleges
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD 5,043 Undergrads 49.4% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$25,220
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$19,298
After Aid
Median Earnings
$65,066
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$19,298
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$65,066Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$54,537Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate49.4%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average Starting Age22.4
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients44.8%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time85.3%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS67.9%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
72.4%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: -47575th: -
SAT Math
25th: -45575th: -
ACT Composite
25th: -1975th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$576k
+$109k
+$91k
Median Cost$19k/yr
+$506k
+$40k
+$22k
Full Cost$25k/yr
+$485k
+$18k
+$682
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
33
∞
Median Cost$19k/yr
50
32%
Full Cost$25k/yr
64
1%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return99%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-23%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Bachelor's Degrees
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1002
Median Debt
$22,750
Earnings (4yr)
$56,818
Natl Median: $44,889
Lifetime Value Added
-$44k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$26,500
Earnings (4yr)
$59,995
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$18k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$22,897
Earnings (4yr)
$70,427
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$63k
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
BachCIP: 1199
Median Debt
$27,500
Earnings (4yr)
$97,030
Natl Median: $77,632
Lifetime Value Added
+$266k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$67,303
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$39k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$33,841
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
-$239k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,707
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$68,077
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
+$45k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
BachCIP: 1907
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$53,181
Natl Median: $48,568
Lifetime Value Added
-$74k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,693
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$54,082
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$103,814
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$318k
Social Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 4599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,812
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$23,500
Earnings (4yr)
$57,224
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$41k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$22,578
Earnings (4yr)
$57,075
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$42k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$20,750
Earnings (4yr)
$55,788
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$52k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,746
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$12k
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
PB-CertCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,661
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Master's Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$75,995
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
MastCIP: 0999
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$83,948
Natl Median: $85,444
Lifetime Value Added
+$64k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
MastCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (4yr)
$86,829
Natl Median: $83,558
Lifetime Value Added
+$89k
Information Science/Studies
MastCIP: 1104
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $112,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
MastCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$79,149
Natl Median: $59,571
Lifetime Value Added
+$22k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$39,924
Earnings (4yr)
$98,800
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
+$194k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$135,681
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$515k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$76,499
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$1k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Graduate Certificates
Human Resources Management and Services
Gr-CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,850
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Information Science/Studies
Gr-CertCIP: 1104
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,146
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Gr-CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,655
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Doctoral Degrees
Computer and Information Sciences, General
DocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $154,538
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.