Shaw University vs. West Liberty University

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

Shaw University West Liberty University
Location Raleigh, NC West Liberty, WV
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 962 2,348
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #853
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu westliberty.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University West Liberty University
Tuition (In State) $12,408 $8,716
Tuition (Out of State) $12,408 $17,100
Room & Board $8,940 $10,694
Avg Net Price $14,111 $14,203
Avg Grant Aid $15,568 $6,547
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 82%

Admission

Shaw University West Liberty University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,699 2,077
Admitted 3,261 1,498
Acceptance Rate 30.5% 72.1%
Enrolled % 5.7% 28%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.53
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 890/1125
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 West Liberty University
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 (22%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Shaw University West Liberty University
Graduation Rate 27% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $24,617
Median Loan Payment $392 $254

Diversity

Shaw University West Liberty University
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 7% 12%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 79%
% Black 58% 4%
% Hispanic 0% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 39% 12%

Students

Shaw University West Liberty University
% In-State 55% 61%
% Out-of-State 34% 37%

Campus

Shaw University West Liberty 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

  • West Liberty University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (2,348 students vs. 962 students)

Shaw University vs. West Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or West Liberty University?

  • Shaw University is 42.4% more expensive to attend than West Liberty University for in-state tuition ($12,408.00 vs. $8,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.8% higher at West Liberty University than Shaw University ($17,100.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than West Liberty University ($14,111 vs. $14,203)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 19.6% lower than costs at West Liberty University ($8,940 vs. $10,694)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shaw University than West Liberty University (97% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 137.8% larger than aid received West Liberty University ($15,568 vs. $6,547)

Shaw University vs. West Liberty University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman West Liberty University students have a 0.93 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • West Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (72.1%) than Shaw University (30.5%)

Shaw University vs. West Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or West Liberty 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 West Liberty University and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at West Liberty University is higher than Shaw University (46% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from West Liberty University earn on average $8,900 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $29,000)
  • West Liberty University students graduate with a $13,383 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($24,617 vs. $38,000)
  • West Liberty University graduates are paying $138 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($254 vs. $392)
  • More West Liberty University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 15%)

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