ECSU vs. Shaw University

Deciding between Elizabeth City State University and Shaw University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elizabeth City State University
Shaw University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ECSU Elizabeth City, NC
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • Setting
  • ECSU Distant Town
  • Shaw University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • ECSU 2,258
  • Shaw University 964
  • Type
  • ECSU Public 4 Year
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ECSU #963
  • Shaw University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ECSU -
  • Shaw University Baptist
  • Status
  • ECSU Non-profit
  • Shaw University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ECSU
  • Shaw University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ECSU $6,536
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ECSU $10,536
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Room & Board
  • ECSU $11,986
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • Average Net Price
  • ECSU $6,483
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ECSU $10,732
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ECSU 89%
  • Shaw University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ECSU 5,489
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • Admitted
  • ECSU 3,525
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ECSU 64.2%
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • Enrolled
  • ECSU 12%
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECSU 1000
  • Shaw University
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECSU 19
  • Shaw University
  • Average High School GPA
  • ECSU 3.16
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ECSU B+
  • Shaw University B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • ECSU Extremely Easy
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • ECSU Low
  • Shaw University
  • ACT Range
  • ECSU 16/22
  • Shaw University
  • SAT Range
  • ECSU 920/1080
  • Shaw University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ECSU Test optional
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • ECSU Jun 30, 2027
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ECSU 19:1
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ECSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ECSU 44%
  • Shaw University 27%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ECSU $30,700
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ECSU 23%
  • Shaw University 15%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ECSU $26,125
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ECSU $270
  • Shaw University $392
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ECSU 48%
  • Shaw University 47%
  • % Women
  • ECSU 52%
  • Shaw University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ECSU Low
  • Shaw University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • ECSU Yes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • % White
  • ECSU 14%
  • Shaw University 1%
  • % Asian
  • ECSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Black
  • ECSU 74%
  • Shaw University 58%
  • % Hispanic
  • ECSU 2%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Native American
  • ECSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ECSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ECSU 1%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % International
  • ECSU 0%
  • Shaw University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ECSU 8%
  • Shaw University 39%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ECSU 69%
  • Shaw University 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ECSU 26%
  • Shaw University 42%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ECSU Yes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ECSU No
  • Shaw University No
  • Meal Plan
  • ECSU Yes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ECSU Yes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • ECSU No
  • Shaw University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
  • Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Shaw University 14:1.

ECSU vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Shaw University ($6,483 vs. $16,445).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 23.2% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($9,210 vs. $11,986).
  • Shaw University is 168.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $11,002 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $6,536.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.5% higher at Shaw University than at Elizabeth City State University (about $7,002 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $10,536.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Elizabeth City State University (97% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($14,417 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Shaw University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
  • Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than ECSU (64.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

ECSU vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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).

  • Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
  • Graduates from Elizabeth City State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $11,875 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($26,125 vs. $38,000).
  • Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($270 vs. $392).
  • More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (23% 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.