Oakwood University vs. Shaw University

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

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Oakwood University vs. Shaw University comparison
Oakwood University Shaw University College 3 College 4
Oakwood University Shaw University
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Overview

Oakwood University Shaw University
Location Huntsville, AL Raleigh, NC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 1,470 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oakwood.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Oakwood University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $18,974 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $18,974 $11,808
Room & Board $9,384 $8,514
Avg Net Price $19,373 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $19,004 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 87%

Admission

Oakwood University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,446 2,435
Admitted 984 1,486
Acceptance Rate 68% 61%
Enrolled % 38.4% 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 2.99 2.6
Typical High School Grades B- C+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Oakwood University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (21%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Oakwood University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 35% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $392

Diversity

Oakwood University Shaw University
% Men 43% 47%
% Women 57% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 1%
% Black 84% 58%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 39%

Students

Oakwood University Shaw University
% In-State 8% 55%
% Out-of-State 58% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Oakwood University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,470 students vs. 1,067 students)

Oakwood University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakwood University or Shaw University?

  • Oakwood University is 60.7% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($18,974.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.7% higher at Oakwood University than Shaw University ($18,974.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Oakwood University ($14,204 vs. $19,373)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 10.2% lower than costs at Oakwood University ($8,514 vs. $9,384)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Oakwood University than Shaw University (93% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakwood University students is 22.2% larger than aid received Shaw University ($19,004 vs. $15,548)

Oakwood University vs. Shaw University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Oakwood University students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (2.99) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Oakwood University has a higher acceptance rate (68%) than Shaw University (61%)

Oakwood University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Oakwood 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 Oakwood University.

  • The graduation rate at Oakwood University is higher than Shaw University (35% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Oakwood University earn on average $8,400 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $29,000)
  • Oakwood University students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Oakwood University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($320 vs. $392)
  • More Oakwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 15%)

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