Shaw University vs. Wilberforce University

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

Shaw University Wilberforce University
Location Raleigh, NC Wilberforce, OH
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,067 656
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Baptist African Methodist Episcopal - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu wilberforce.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Wilberforce University
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $12,020
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $12,020
Room & Board $8,514 $7,000
Avg Net Price $14,204 $14,070
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $9,380
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 100%

Admission

Shaw University Wilberforce University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 4,100
Admitted 1,486 1,850
Acceptance Rate 61% 45.1%
Enrolled % 13.5% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 2.82
Typical High School Grades C+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 14/18
SAT Range 840/940
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Shaw University Wilberforce University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (54%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Wilberforce University
Graduation Rate 27% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $20,750
Median Loan Payment $392 $214

Diversity

Shaw University Wilberforce University
% Men 47% 45%
% Women 53% 55%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 1% 1%
% Black 58% 84%
% Hispanic 0% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 39% 10%

Students

Shaw University Wilberforce University
% In-State 55% 30%
% Out-of-State 34% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Shaw University is larger than than Wilberforce University based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 656 students)

Shaw University vs. Wilberforce University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Wilberforce University?

  • Wilberforce University is 1.8% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($12,020.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at Wilberforce University than Shaw University ($12,020.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilberforce University than Shaw University ($14,070 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilberforce University are 21.6% lower than costs at Shaw University ($7,000 vs. $8,514)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wilberforce University than Shaw University (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 65.8% larger than aid received Wilberforce University ($15,548 vs. $9,380)

Shaw University vs. Wilberforce University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Wilberforce University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (2.82) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than Wilberforce University (45.1%)

Shaw University vs. Wilberforce University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or Wilberforce 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 Wilberforce University and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at Wilberforce University is higher than Shaw University (30% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Wilberforce University earn on average $7,200 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($36,200 vs. $29,000)
  • Wilberforce University students graduate with a $17,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($20,750 vs. $38,000)
  • Wilberforce University graduates are paying $178 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($214 vs. $392)
  • More Wilberforce University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 15%)

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