Fontbonne University vs. Shaw University

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

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
Location Saint Louis, MO Raleigh, NC
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 944 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fontbonne.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $27,996 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $27,996 $11,808
Room & Board $10,856 $8,514
Avg Net Price $20,732 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $22,284 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 87%

Admission

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 880 2,435
Admitted 831 1,486
Acceptance Rate 94.4% 61%
Enrolled % 22% 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 2.6
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
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 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (48%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 43% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $392

Diversity

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
% Men 41% 47%
% Women 59% 53%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No Yes
% White 71% 1%
% Black 15% 58%
% Hispanic 2% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 39%

Students

 Fontbonne University Shaw University
% In-State 78% 55%
% Out-of-State 21% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Shaw University is larger than than Fontbonne University based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 944 students)

Fontbonne University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

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

  • Fontbonne University is 137.1% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($27,996.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 137.1% higher at Fontbonne University than Shaw University ($27,996.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Fontbonne University ($14,204 vs. $20,732)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 27.5% lower than costs at Fontbonne University ($8,514 vs. $10,856)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fontbonne University than Shaw University (99% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fontbonne University students is 43.3% larger than aid received Shaw University ($22,284 vs. $15,548)

Fontbonne University vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fontbonne University students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Fontbonne University has a higher acceptance rate (94.4%) than Shaw University (61%)

Fontbonne University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fontbonne 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 Fontbonne University.

  • The graduation rate at Fontbonne University is higher than Shaw University (43% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Fontbonne University earn on average $17,400 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $29,000)
  • Fontbonne University students graduate with a $12,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Fontbonne University graduates are paying $124 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($268 vs. $392)
  • More Fontbonne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 15%)

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