Shaw University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shaw University is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shaw University 14:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Shaw University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

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

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Columbia College ($16,445 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 1.9% lower than at Columbia College ($9,210 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $4,676 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Columbia College than at Shaw University (about $4,676 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University as at Columbia College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($16,451 vs. $14,417).

Shaw University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shaw University - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Shaw University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Shaw University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shaw University and Columbia 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $12,736 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($25,264 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($261 vs. $392).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 15%)

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.