Paul Smith's College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in Paul Smiths, NY with Shaw University in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shaw University is larger than Paul Smith's College based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 948 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is located in Paul Smiths, NY (Distant Rural setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 12:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Paul Smith's College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paul Smith's 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 Shaw University than Paul Smith's College ($16,445 vs. $28,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 35.3% lower than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($9,210 vs. $14,236).
• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is 88.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $15,471 more per year; $33,009.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.2% higher at Paul Smith's College than at Shaw University (about $15,471 more per year; $33,009.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($22,973 vs. $14,417).

Paul Smith's College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smith's College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paul Smith's College - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Paul Smith's College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (2.8) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Paul Smith's College (76.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Paul Smith's College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Paul Smith's College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paul Smith's 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).

• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($25,000 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Paul Smith's College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($258 vs. $392).
• More Paul Smith's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.