Delaware State University vs. Shaw University

Should I go to Delaware State University or Shaw University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Delaware State University or Shaw University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Delaware State University vs. Shaw University comparison
Delaware State University Shaw University College 3 College 4
Delaware State University Shaw University
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Overview

Delaware State University Shaw University
Location Dover, DE Raleigh, NC
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 5,828 962
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #925
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desu.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Delaware State University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $8,544 $12,408
Tuition (Out of State) $18,480 $12,408
Room & Board $13,634 $8,940
Avg Net Price $15,555 $14,111
Avg Grant Aid $11,842 $15,568
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 97%

Admission

Delaware State University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,542 10,699
Admitted 4,651 3,261
Acceptance Rate 61.7% 30.5%
Enrolled % 30.2% 5.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.09 2.6
Typical High School Grades B C+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 22/26
SAT Range 860/1070
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Jul 30, 2026

Academics

Delaware State University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Delaware State University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 35% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,600 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,500 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $294 $392

Diversity

Delaware State University Shaw University
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 11% 7%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 11% 1%
% Black 75% 58%
% Hispanic 6% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 39%

Students

Delaware State University Shaw University
% In-State 46% 55%
% Out-of-State 52% 34%

Campus

Delaware State University Shaw University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Delaware State University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (5,828 students vs. 962 students)

Delaware State University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware State University or Shaw University?

  • Shaw University is 45.2% more expensive to attend than Delaware State University for in-state tuition ($12,408.00 vs. $8,544.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.9% higher at Delaware State University than Shaw University ($18,480.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Delaware State University ($14,111 vs. $15,555)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 52.5% lower than costs at Delaware State University ($8,940 vs. $13,634)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shaw University than Delaware State University (97% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 31.5% larger than aid received Delaware State University ($15,568 vs. $11,842)

Delaware State University vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delaware State University or Shaw University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shaw University or Delaware State University .

  • Accepted freshman Delaware State University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.09) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Delaware State University has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Shaw University (30.5%)

Delaware State University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Delaware State University or Shaw University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shaw University and Delaware State University.

  • The graduation rate at Delaware State University is higher than Shaw University (35% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Delaware State University earn on average $7,600 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($36,600 vs. $29,000)
  • Delaware State University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($28,500 vs. $38,000)
  • Delaware State University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($294 vs. $392)
  • More Delaware State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 15%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/