Livingstone College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shaw University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone 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 Livingstone College than Shaw University ($12,826 vs. $16,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 26.2% lower than at Shaw University ($6,794 vs. $9,210).
• Livingstone College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $758 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Livingstone College than at Shaw University (about $758 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Shaw University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($15,485 vs. $14,417).

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone 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 Livingstone College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Livingstone College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (2.64) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Shaw University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,000 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shaw University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($38,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Shaw University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($392 vs. $434).
• More Shaw University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (15% vs. 13%)

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.