Finlandia University vs. Shaw University

Should I go to Finlandia University or Shaw University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Finlandia 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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Finlandia University vs. Shaw University comparison
Finlandia University Shaw University College 3 College 4
Finlandia University Shaw University
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Overview

 Finlandia University Shaw University
Location Hancock, MI Raleigh, NC
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 450 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website finlandia.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Finlandia University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $25,346 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $25,346 $11,808
Room & Board $9,978 $8,514
Avg Net Price $20,539 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $15,722 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 87%

Admission

 Finlandia University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,385 2,435
Admitted 922 1,486
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 61%
Enrolled % 12.7% 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 2.89 2.6
Typical High School Grades B- C+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

 Finlandia University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (42%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 Finlandia University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 35% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $392

Diversity

 Finlandia University Shaw University
% Men 52% 47%
% Women 48% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No Yes
% White 65% 1%
% Black 10% 58%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 39%

Students

 Finlandia University Shaw University
% In-State 32% 55%
% Out-of-State 34% 34%

Campus

 Finlandia 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

  • Shaw University is larger than than Finlandia University based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 450 students)

Finlandia University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Finlandia University or Shaw University?

  • Finlandia University is 114.7% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($25,346.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 114.7% higher at Finlandia University than Shaw University ($25,346.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Finlandia University ($14,204 vs. $20,539)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 17.2% lower than costs at Finlandia University ($8,514 vs. $9,978)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Finlandia University than Shaw University (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Finlandia University students is 1.1% larger than aid received Shaw University ($15,722 vs. $15,548)

Finlandia University vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Finlandia University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (2.89) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Finlandia University has a higher acceptance rate (66.6%) than Shaw University (61%)

Finlandia University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Finlandia 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 Finlandia University.

  • The graduation rate at Finlandia University is higher than Shaw University (35% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Finlandia University earn on average $8,100 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $29,000)
  • Finlandia University students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Finlandia University graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($279 vs. $392)
  • More Finlandia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 15%)

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