Shaw University vs. NSU

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

Shaw University NSU
Location Raleigh, NC Norfolk, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,067 5,783
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1008
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University NSU
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $16,920
Room & Board $8,514 $10,844
Avg Net Price $14,204 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 91%

Admission

Shaw University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 8,884
Admitted 1,486 7,951
Acceptance Rate 61% 89.5%
Enrolled % 13.5% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 2.9
Typical High School Grades C+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 840/1040
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 May 31, 2025

Academics

Shaw University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Shaw University NSU
Graduation Rate 27% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $392 $320

Diversity

Shaw University NSU
% Men 47% 33%
% Women 53% 67%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 1% 5%
% Black 58% 84%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 39% 3%

Students

Shaw University NSU
% In-State 55% 65%
% Out-of-State 34% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (5,783 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or NSU?

  • Shaw University is 105.3% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.3% higher at NSU than Shaw University ($16,920.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than NSU ($14,204 vs. $14,652)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 27.4% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($8,514 vs. $10,844)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Norfolk State University than Shaw University (91% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 27.8% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($15,548 vs. $12,164)

Shaw University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (2.9) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or NSU? 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 NSU and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Shaw University (33% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Norfolk State University earn on average $7,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $29,000)
  • Norfolk State University students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $38,000)
  • NSU graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($320 vs. $392)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 15%)

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