Shaw University vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College

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

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
Location Raleigh, NC Athens, TN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 962 1,074
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #725
Religious Affiliation Baptist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu twcnet.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
Tuition (In State) $12,408 $28,014
Tuition (Out of State) $12,408 $28,014
Room & Board $8,940 $9,416
Avg Net Price $14,111 $16,414
Avg Grant Aid $15,568 $20,782
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,699 988
Admitted 3,261 587
Acceptance Rate 30.5% 59.4%
Enrolled % 5.7% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.5
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 960/1100
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 Tennessee Wesleyan College
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%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
Graduation Rate 27% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $18,750
Median Loan Payment $392 $193

Diversity

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
% Men 5% 6%
% Women 7% 14%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 78%
% Black 58% 8%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 39% 4%

Students

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
% In-State 55% 80%
% Out-of-State 34% 14%

Campus

Shaw University Tennessee Wesleyan College
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

  • Tennessee Wesleyan College is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,074 students vs. 962 students)

Shaw University vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Tennessee Wesleyan College?

  • Tennessee Wesleyan College is 125.8% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($28,014.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 125.8% higher at Tennessee Wesleyan College than Shaw University ($28,014.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Tennessee Wesleyan College ($14,111 vs. $16,414)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 5.3% lower than costs at Tennessee Wesleyan College ($8,940 vs. $9,416)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Tennessee Wesleyan College than Shaw University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan College students is 33.5% larger than aid received Shaw University ($20,782 vs. $15,568)

Shaw University vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan College students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan College has a higher acceptance rate (59.4%) than Shaw University (30.5%)

Shaw University vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or Tennessee Wesleyan College? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan College and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee Wesleyan College is higher than Shaw University (44% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan College earn on average $13,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $29,000)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan College students graduate with a $19,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($18,750 vs. $38,000)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan College graduates are paying $199 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($193 vs. $392)
  • More Tennessee Wesleyan College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 15%)

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