Bowie State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bowie State University charges a net price of $19,298/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $77,192. Graduates earn a median $54,537 ten years after entry, $6,177/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.5 years — a 20-year net return of $46,348, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bowie State University's 12.5-year payback ranks #885 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 31% of them, and #21 of 52 in Maryland.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $19,298/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $77,192 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,537 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,177/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,985 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $46,348 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bowie State University's own numbers. Net price $19,298 × 4 years = $77,192 total. Median earnings $54,537 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,177 a year of premium. $77,192 ÷ $6,177 = 12.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $46,348. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bowie State University students graduate with?
A median $22,985 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $54,537 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bowie State University students graduate?
38% finish their degree — 62% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $77,192 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $203,137 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bowie State University expensive compared with other Maryland colleges?
Its $19,298 net price runs $1,720 above the $17,578 median across the 52 Maryland colleges we profile, or $6,880 more across the full degree.