North Carolina Central University vs. Shaw University

Should I go to North Carolina Central University or Shaw University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Carolina Central 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

WSSU NCAT Fayetteville State University VSU ECSU Alcorn State University Bowie State University Delaware State University UNCG JCSU ECU NSU
North Carolina Central University vs. Shaw University comparison
North Carolina Central University Shaw University College 3 College 4
North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Location Durham, NC Raleigh, NC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 7,553 1,067
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #940
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $11,808
Room & Board $11,864 $8,514
Avg Net Price $13,708 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 87%

Admission

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 2,435
Admitted 7,107 1,486
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 61%
Enrolled % 15.2% 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 2.6
Typical High School Grades B C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/23
SAT Range 810/1130
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 Aug 1, 2025 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 38% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $392

Diversity

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
% Men 30% 47%
% Women 70% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 6% 1%
% Black 81% 58%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 39%

Students

North Carolina Central University Shaw University
% In-State 65% 55%
% Out-of-State 29% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 1,067 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or Shaw University?

  • Shaw University is 216.7% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42% higher at North Carolina Central University than Shaw University ($16,764.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than Shaw University ($13,708 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 39.3% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($8,514 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Shaw University (96% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 4% larger than aid received Shaw University ($16,168 vs. $15,548)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than Shaw University (61%)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at North Carolina Central University is higher than Shaw University (38% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn on average $6,200 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($35,200 vs. $29,000)
  • North Carolina Central University students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $38,000)
  • North Carolina Central University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($320 vs. $392)
  • More North Carolina Central University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (23% vs. 15%)

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