Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($16,445 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 22% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($9,210 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 219.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $38,538 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 219.7% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Shaw University (about $38,538 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 187.5% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($41,450 vs. $14,417).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 1.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($27,000 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($279 vs. $392).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.