Samuel Merritt University vs. Shaw University

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

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
Location Oakland, CA Raleigh, NC
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 1,911 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samuelmerritt.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $0 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $0 $11,808
Room & Board $0 $8,514
Avg Net Price - $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $0 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 0% 87%

Admission

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

Academics

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 6:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
Graduation Rate - 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $110,700 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $193 $392

Diversity

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
% Men 23% 47%
% Women 77% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No Yes
% White 37% 1%
% Black 4% 58%
% Hispanic 19% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 39%

Students

Samuel Merritt University Shaw University
% In-State - 55%
% Out-of-State - 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samuel Merritt University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,911 students vs. 1,067 students)

Samuel Merritt University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samuel Merritt University or Shaw University?

  • Shaw University is ?% more expensive to attend than Samuel Merritt University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $0.00)
  • Out of state tuition is ?% higher at Shaw University than Samuel Merritt University ($11,808.00 vs. $0.00)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shaw University than Samuel Merritt University (87% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is ?% larger than aid received Samuel Merritt University ($15,548 vs. $0)

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

Samuel Merritt University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samuel Merritt 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 Samuel Merritt University.

  • Graduates from Samuel Merritt University earn on average $81,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($110,700 vs. $29,000)
  • Samuel Merritt University students graduate with a $19,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($18,750 vs. $38,000)
  • Samuel Merritt University graduates are paying $199 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($193 vs. $392)
  • More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 15%)

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