Dean College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dean College is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,092 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Dean College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College or Shaw University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Dean College ($16,445 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 53.6% lower than at Dean College ($9,210 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 165.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $28,988 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.3% higher at Dean College than at Shaw University (about $28,988 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 128.6% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($32,958 vs. $14,417).

Dean College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College or Shaw University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shaw University and Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dean College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (2.88) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Dean College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College and Shaw University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Dean College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $21,647 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($16,353 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $223 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($169 vs. $392).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 15%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.