Shaw University vs. Bluffton University

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

 Shaw University Bluffton University
Location Raleigh, NC Bluffton, OH
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,067 745
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Baptist Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Shaw University Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $34,716
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $34,716
Room & Board $8,514 $11,602
Avg Net Price $14,204 $21,247
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $28,214
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 100%

Admission

 Shaw University Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 1,105
Admitted 1,486 1,064
Acceptance Rate 61% 96.3%
Enrolled % 13.5% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.26
Typical High School Grades C+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

 Shaw University Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

 Shaw University Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 27% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $392 $279

Diversity

 Shaw University Bluffton University
% Men 47% 49%
% Women 53% 51%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 85%
% Black 58% 6%
% Hispanic 0% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 39% 2%

Students

 Shaw University Bluffton University
% In-State 55% 79%
% Out-of-State 34% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Shaw University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 745 students)

Shaw University vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 194% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($34,716.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 194% higher at Bluffton University than Shaw University ($34,716.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Bluffton University ($14,204 vs. $21,247)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 36.3% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($8,514 vs. $11,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Shaw University (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 81.5% larger than aid received Shaw University ($28,214 vs. $15,548)

Shaw University vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Bluffton University students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Shaw University (59% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $11,600 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $29,000)
  • Bluffton University students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Bluffton University graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($279 vs. $392)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 15%)

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