JCSU vs. Shaw University

Deciding between Johnson C Smith 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.

Johnson C Smith University
Shaw University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • JCSU Charlotte, NC
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • Setting
  • JCSU Large City
  • Shaw University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • JCSU 1,302
  • Shaw University 964
  • Type
  • JCSU Private 4 Year
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • JCSU #967
  • Shaw University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • JCSU -
  • Shaw University Baptist
  • Status
  • JCSU Non-profit
  • Shaw University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • JCSU
  • Shaw University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Room & Board
  • JCSU $8,600
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • Average Net Price
  • JCSU $19,705
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • Average Grant Aid
  • JCSU $15,238
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • JCSU 93%
  • Shaw University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • JCSU 6,820
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • Admitted
  • JCSU 3,083
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • Acceptance Rate
  • JCSU 45.2%
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • Enrolled
  • JCSU 12.8%
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JCSU 890
  • Shaw University
  • Typical ACT score
  • JCSU 15
  • Shaw University
  • Average High School GPA
  • JCSU 2.48
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • JCSU C+
  • Shaw University B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • JCSU Extremely Easy
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • JCSU Low
  • Shaw University
  • ACT Range
  • JCSU 13/18
  • Shaw University
  • SAT Range
  • JCSU 800/980
  • Shaw University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • JCSU Test-free
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • JCSU
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • JCSU 12:1
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • JCSU
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • JCSU 37%
  • Shaw University 27%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • JCSU $30,300
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • JCSU 26%
  • Shaw University 15%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • JCSU $32,050
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • JCSU $331
  • Shaw University $392
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • JCSU 47%
  • Shaw University 47%
  • % Women
  • JCSU 53%
  • Shaw University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • JCSU Very Low
  • Shaw University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • JCSU Yes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • % White
  • JCSU 0%
  • Shaw University 1%
  • % Asian
  • JCSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Black
  • JCSU 79%
  • Shaw University 58%
  • % Hispanic
  • JCSU 5%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Native American
  • JCSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • JCSU 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • JCSU 2%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % International
  • JCSU 4%
  • Shaw University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • JCSU 9%
  • Shaw University 39%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • JCSU 45%
  • Shaw University 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • JCSU 53%
  • Shaw University 42%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
  • Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Shaw University 14:1.

JCSU vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU 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 JCSU ($16,445 vs. $19,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 6.6% lower than at Shaw University ($8,600 vs. $9,210).
  • Johnson C Smith University is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $3,762 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $17,538.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at JCSU than at Shaw University (about $3,762 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $17,538.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Johnson C Smith University (97% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($15,238 vs. $14,417).

JCSU vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Shaw University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (2.6) than students at JCSU (2.48).
  • Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than JCSU (45.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

JCSU vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU 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).

  • Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
  • Graduates from Johnson C Smith University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnson C Smith University graduates have a $5,950 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($32,050 vs. $38,000).
  • Among borrowers, JCSU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($331 vs. $392).
  • More JCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (26% 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.