Livingstone College vs. Shaw University

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

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Location Salisbury, NC Raleigh, NC
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 839 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website livingstone.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $15,917 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $15,917 $11,808
Room & Board $6,794 $8,514
Avg Net Price $15,914 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $12,500 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 87%

Admission

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,074 2,435
Admitted 2,598 1,486
Acceptance Rate 63.8% 61%
Enrolled % 8.4% 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 2.64 2.6
Typical High School Grades C+ C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 14/21
SAT Range 800/960
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Human Services (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Graduation Rate 28% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $24,200 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 13% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $42,000 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $434 $392

Diversity

 Livingstone College Shaw University
% Men 59% 47%
% Women 41% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 1%
% Black 81% 58%
% Hispanic 1% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 17% 39%

Students

 Livingstone College Shaw University
% In-State 55% 55%
% Out-of-State 44% 34%

Campus

 Livingstone College Shaw University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 839 students)

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College or Shaw University?

  • Livingstone College is 34.8% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($15,917.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.8% higher at Livingstone College than Shaw University ($15,917.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Livingstone College ($14,204 vs. $15,914)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 25.3% lower than costs at Shaw University ($6,794 vs. $8,514)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Livingstone College than Shaw University (98% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 24.4% larger than aid received Livingstone College ($15,548 vs. $12,500)

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Livingstone College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (2.64) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Livingstone College has a higher acceptance rate (63.8%) than Shaw University (61%)

Livingstone College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College.

  • The graduation rate at Livingstone College is higher than Shaw University (28% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Shaw University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Livingstone College graduates after ten years. ($29,000 vs. $24,200)
  • Shaw University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Livingstone College graduates. ($38,000 vs. $42,000)
  • Shaw University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans 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/