Shaw University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

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

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Location Raleigh, NC Keyser, WV
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,067 1,145
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu potomacstatecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $4,752
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $12,120
Room & Board $8,514 $9,386
Avg Net Price $14,204 $7,822
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $6,043
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 89%

Admission

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 -
Admitted 1,486 -
Acceptance Rate 61% Open
Enrolled % 13.5% Open
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.06
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)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Graduation Rate 27% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $392 $248

Diversity

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% Men 47% 42%
% Women 53% 58%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 69%
% Black 58% 23%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 39% 1%

Students

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% In-State 55% 74%
% Out-of-State 34% 24%

Campus

Shaw University Potomac State College of West Virginia 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

  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,145 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

  • Shaw University is 148.5% more expensive to attend than Potomac State College of West Virginia University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $4,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.6% higher at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Shaw University ($12,120.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Shaw University ($7,822 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 10.2% lower than costs at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($8,514 vs. $9,386)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Shaw University (89% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 157.3% larger than aid received Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($15,548 vs. $6,043)

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

  • Accepted freshman Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at Shaw University (2.6)

Shaw University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Shaw University.

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn on average $21,600 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $29,000)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate with a $13,999 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($24,001 vs. $38,000)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are paying $144 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($248 vs. $392)
  • More Potomac State College of West Virginia 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/