Shaw University vs. WVSU

Deciding between Shaw University and West Virginia State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Shaw University
West Virginia State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • WVSU Institute, WV
  • Setting
  • Shaw University Large City
  • WVSU Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Shaw University 964
  • WVSU 3,246
  • Type
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • WVSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU #1010
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Shaw University Baptist
  • WVSU -
  • Status
  • Shaw University Non-profit
  • WVSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • WVSU $9,570
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • WVSU $14,990
  • Room & Board
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • WVSU $13,522
  • Average Net Price
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • WVSU $11,055
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • WVSU $8,993
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Shaw University 97%
  • WVSU 88%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • WVSU 6,163
  • Admitted
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • WVSU 5,914
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • WVSU 96%
  • Enrolled
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • WVSU 5.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • WVSU 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Shaw University B-
  • WVSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • WVSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU
  • ACT Range
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • Shaw University
  • WVSU 760/1040
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • WVSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • WVSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • WVSU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • WVSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Shaw University 27%
  • WVSU 25%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • WVSU $32,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Shaw University 15%
  • WVSU 35%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • WVSU $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Shaw University $392
  • WVSU $240
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Shaw University 47%
  • WVSU 42%
  • % Women
  • Shaw University 53%
  • WVSU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Shaw University Extremely Low
  • WVSU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Shaw University Yes
  • WVSU Yes
  • % White
  • Shaw University 1%
  • WVSU 65%
  • % Asian
  • Shaw University 0%
  • WVSU 0%
  • % Black
  • Shaw University 58%
  • WVSU 14%
  • % Hispanic
  • Shaw University 0%
  • WVSU 1%
  • % Native American
  • Shaw University 0%
  • WVSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Shaw University 0%
  • WVSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Shaw University 0%
  • WVSU 10%
  • % International
  • Shaw University 2%
  • WVSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Shaw University 39%
  • WVSU 9%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Shaw University 51%
  • WVSU 63%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Shaw University 42%
  • WVSU 32%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Shaw University Yes
  • WVSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Shaw University No
  • WVSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Shaw University Yes
  • WVSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Shaw University Yes
  • WVSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Shaw University No
  • WVSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Shaw University in Raleigh, NC with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia State University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Shaw University is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Shaw University 14:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Shaw University vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or WVSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia State University than Shaw University ($11,055 vs. $16,445).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 31.9% lower than at West Virginia State University ($9,210 vs. $13,522).
  • Shaw University is 83.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $7,968 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $9,570.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Shaw University than at West Virginia State University (about $2,548 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $14,990.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at West Virginia State University (97% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 60.3% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($14,417 vs. $8,993).

Shaw University vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shaw University or WVSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVSU and Shaw University.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shaw University - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
  • WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Shaw University (80.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Shaw University vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shaw University and WVSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Shaw University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
  • Graduates from West Virginia State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $14,750 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($23,250 vs. $38,000).
  • Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($240 vs. $392).
  • More WVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 15%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.