Shaw University vs. Carlow University

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

Shaw University Carlow University
Location Raleigh, NC Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 962 2,310
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #773
Religious Affiliation Baptist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu carlow.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Carlow University
Tuition (In State) $12,408 $33,376
Tuition (Out of State) $12,408 $33,376
Room & Board $8,940 $13,406
Avg Net Price $14,111 $20,561
Avg Grant Aid $15,568 $26,233
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Shaw University Carlow University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,699 1,326
Admitted 3,261 1,155
Acceptance Rate 30.5% 87.1%
Enrolled % 5.7% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.6
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range
SAT Range 850/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2026

Academics

Shaw University Carlow University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Carlow University
Graduation Rate 27% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $41,900
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $392 $279

Diversity

Shaw University Carlow University
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 7% 36%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 61%
% Black 58% 22%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 39% 8%

Students

Shaw University Carlow University
% In-State 55% 88%
% Out-of-State 34% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Carlow University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (2,310 students vs. 962 students)

Shaw University vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

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

  • Carlow University is 169% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($33,376.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 169% higher at Carlow University than Shaw University ($33,376.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Carlow University ($14,111 vs. $20,561)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 50% lower than costs at Carlow University ($8,940 vs. $13,406)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carlow University than Shaw University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 68.5% larger than aid received Shaw University ($26,233 vs. $15,568)

Shaw University vs. Carlow University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Shaw University (30.5%)

Shaw University vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Carlow University is higher than Shaw University (51% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Carlow University earn on average $12,900 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $29,000)
  • Carlow University students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Carlow University graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($279 vs. $392)
  • More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 15%)

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