University of Holy Cross vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, LA with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shaw University is larger than University of Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 802 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Holy Cross is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Holy Cross 7:1; Shaw University 14:1.

University of Holy Cross vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Holy Cross 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 University of Holy Cross than Shaw University ($14,420 vs. $16,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 22% lower than at University of Holy Cross ($9,210 vs. $11,802).
• Shaw University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Holy Cross (about $962 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $16,576.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Shaw University than at University of Holy Cross (about $962 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $16,576.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Holy Cross as at Shaw University (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by University of Holy Cross students ($14,417 vs. $12,861).

University of Holy Cross vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Holy Cross 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 University of Holy Cross.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Holy Cross - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Holy Cross Jul 20, 2027; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Holy Cross students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than University of Holy Cross (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at University of Holy Cross vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

University of Holy Cross vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Holy Cross 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).

• Graduates from University of Holy Cross earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Holy Cross graduates have a $5,542 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($32,458 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Holy Cross graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($335 vs. $392).
• More University of Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.