Founded in 1865, Bowie State is Maryland's oldest historically Black university, and it sits between Washington, DC and Baltimore. A MARC commuter train stop is right on the edge of campus. Computer science, business, nursing and education are its strongest areas. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and a long list of federal agencies are nearby.
Bowie, Maryland, United States
Official website: bowiestate.edu
1865
Public HBCU, University System of Maryland
MARC Penn Line station on campus
$17,000 – $22,000
Non-resident tuition and fees, undergraduate and graduate
$16,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bowiestate.edu before you apply.
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Management Information Systems
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Maryland's oldest HBCU.
Computing programmes close to federal agencies and contractors.
A campus train station with services to Washington and Baltimore.
Graduates work for federal agencies, contractors and IT firms around Washington.
Nursing graduates join hospitals in Maryland and the DC area.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
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Undergrad
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Postgrad
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Bowie is a suburban city in Prince George's County. The campus is green and quiet, with the MARC Penn Line running along one side.
Washington's Union Station and Baltimore's Penn Station are each about half an hour away by train. Rent is lower than in the capital, though a car still helps.
Form I-20 issued by Bowie State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bowie State sets international deadlines a few months before each semester, usually in spring for fall and in autumn for spring. Applying earlier leaves more time for the I-20 and visa.
Most programmes start in August or January.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Bowie State University after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Computer science, business administration, nursing and management information systems are popular. Undergraduates need secondary school completion and English test results, and graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree.
Bowie State has some merit scholarships, and a few departments offer graduate assistantships. International students should ask their programme directly.
