Shaw University vs. Virginia Union University

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

Shaw University Virginia Union University
Location Raleigh, NC Richmond, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,067 1,860
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1021
Religious Affiliation Baptist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu vuu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Virginia Union University
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $10,530
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $10,530
Room & Board $8,514 $9,286
Avg Net Price $14,204 $21,057
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $8,597
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 69%

Admission

Shaw University Virginia Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 4,386
Admitted 1,486 3,533
Acceptance Rate 61% 80.6%
Enrolled % 13.5% 11.2%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 2.71
Typical High School Grades C+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 813/990
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

Academics

Shaw University Virginia Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (35%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Virginia Union University
Graduation Rate 27% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 19%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $33,750
Median Loan Payment $392 $348

Diversity

Shaw University Virginia Union University
% Men 47% 50%
% Women 53% 50%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 1% 1%
% Black 58% 94%
% Hispanic 0% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 39% 2%

Students

Shaw University Virginia Union University
% In-State 55% 60%
% Out-of-State 34% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Union University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,860 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Virginia Union University?

  • Shaw University is 12.1% more expensive to attend than Virginia Union University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.1% higher at Shaw University than Virginia Union University ($11,808.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Virginia Union University ($14,204 vs. $21,057)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 9.1% lower than costs at Virginia Union University ($8,514 vs. $9,286)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shaw University than Virginia Union University (87% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 80.9% larger than aid received Virginia Union University ($15,548 vs. $8,597)

Shaw University vs. Virginia Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Virginia Union University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (2.71) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at Virginia Union University is higher than Shaw University (29% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Union University earn on average $4,300 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($33,300 vs. $29,000)
  • Virginia Union University students graduate with a $4,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($33,750 vs. $38,000)
  • Virginia Union University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($348 vs. $392)
  • More Virginia Union University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (19% vs. 15%)

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