Shaw University vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Shaw University in Raleigh, NC with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shaw University is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shaw University 14:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Shaw University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University than Shaw University ($12,989 vs. $16,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 19.8% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($9,210 vs. $11,484).
• Shaw University is 186.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $11,412 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Shaw University than at Winston Salem State University (about $756 more per year; $17,538.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Winston Salem State University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($14,417 vs. $10,057).

Shaw University vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shaw University or WSSU? 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 WSSU and Shaw University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shaw University - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Shaw University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shaw University and WSSU? 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).

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $12,337 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($25,663 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($265 vs. $392).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.