Shaw University vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

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

Shaw University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Shaw University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Messenger 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 Messenger College ($16,445 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 30.8% lower than at Messenger College ($9,210 vs. $13,305).
• Shaw University is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $5,918 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at Shaw University than at Messenger College (about $5,918 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Messenger College (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 265.9% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($14,417 vs. $3,940).

Shaw University vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shaw University - Test-free; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messenger College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (2.9) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Shaw University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shaw University and Messenger 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).

• Shaw University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Shaw University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,000 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.