Shaw University vs. Ascent College

Deciding between Shaw University and Ascent College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Shaw University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • Ascent College Gainesville, VA
  • Setting
  • Shaw University Large City
  • Ascent College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Shaw University 964
  • Ascent College 83
  • Type
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • Ascent College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Shaw University Baptist
  • Ascent College Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • Shaw University Non-profit
  • Ascent College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Ascent College $8,550
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Ascent College $8,550
  • Room & Board
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • Ascent College $11,960
  • Average Net Price
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • Ascent College -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • Ascent College $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Shaw University 97%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • Ascent College -
  • Admitted
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • Ascent College -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • Ascent College Open
  • Enrolled
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • Ascent College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • Typical ACT score
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • Average High School GPA
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • Ascent College -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Shaw University B-
  • Ascent College -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • Ascent College Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • ACT Range
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • SAT Range
  • Shaw University
  • Ascent College
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • Ascent College Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • Ascent College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • Ascent College 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Ascent College
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (100%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Shaw University 27%
  • Ascent College -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Shaw University 15%
  • Ascent College -
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Shaw University $392
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Shaw University 47%
  • Ascent College 43%
  • % Women
  • Shaw University 53%
  • Ascent College 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Shaw University Extremely Low
  • Ascent College Very High
  • HBCU
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Ascent College No
  • % White
  • Shaw University 1%
  • Ascent College 36%
  • % Asian
  • Shaw University 0%
  • Ascent College 3%
  • % Black
  • Shaw University 58%
  • Ascent College 45%
  • % Hispanic
  • Shaw University 0%
  • Ascent College 16%
  • % Native American
  • Shaw University 0%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Shaw University 0%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Shaw University 0%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % International
  • Shaw University 2%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Shaw University 39%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Shaw University 51%
  • Ascent College 67%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Shaw University 42%
  • Ascent College 33%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Ascent College No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Shaw University No
  • Ascent College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Ascent College No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • Ascent College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Shaw University No
  • Ascent College No

Comparable Facts

Compare Shaw University in Raleigh, NC with Ascent College in Gainesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shaw University is larger than Ascent College based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 83 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Shaw University is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Ascent College is in Gainesville, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ascent College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Shaw University 14:1; Ascent College 8:1.

Shaw University vs. Ascent College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Ascent College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 23% lower than at Ascent College ($9,210 vs. $11,960).
  • Shaw University is 105.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ascent College (about $8,988 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $8,550.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 105.1% higher at Shaw University than at Ascent College (about $8,988 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $8,550.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Ascent College (97% vs. 0%).

Shaw University vs. Ascent College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shaw University or Ascent College? 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 Ascent College and Shaw University.

  • Ascent College reports an open admissions policy.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shaw University - Test-free; Ascent College - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.

Shaw University vs. Ascent College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shaw University and Ascent College? 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).

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.