Savannah State University vs. Shaw University

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

Savannah State University Shaw University
Location Savannah, GA Raleigh, NC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 2,945 1,067
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1026
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website savannahstate.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Savannah State University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $14,784 $11,808
Room & Board $9,620 $8,514
Avg Net Price $9,452 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $12,687 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 87%

Admission

Savannah State University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 2,435
Admitted - 1,486
Acceptance Rate Open 61%
Enrolled % Open 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 2.77 2.6
Typical High School Grades B- C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19
SAT Range 845/980
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Savannah State University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 21:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Savannah State University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 30% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,600 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 19% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $34,006 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $351 $392

Diversity

Savannah State University Shaw University
% Men 37% 47%
% Women 63% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 4% 1%
% Black 83% 58%
% Hispanic 8% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 39%

Students

Savannah State University Shaw University
% In-State 85% 55%
% Out-of-State 13% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Savannah State University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (2,945 students vs. 1,067 students)

Savannah State University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Savannah State University or Shaw University?

  • Shaw University is 190.6% more expensive to attend than Savannah State University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.2% higher at Savannah State University than Shaw University ($14,784.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Savannah State University than Shaw University ($9,452 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 13% lower than costs at Savannah State University ($8,514 vs. $9,620)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Savannah State University than Shaw University (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 22.6% larger than aid received Savannah State University ($15,548 vs. $12,687)

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

  • Accepted freshman Savannah State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (2.77) than students at Shaw University (2.6)

Savannah State University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Savannah State 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 Savannah State University.

  • The graduation rate at Savannah State University is higher than Shaw University (30% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Savannah State University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($33,600 vs. $29,000)
  • Savannah State University students graduate with a $3,994 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($34,006 vs. $38,000)
  • Savannah State University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($351 vs. $392)
  • More Savannah State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (19% vs. 15%)

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