Shaw University vs. WSSU

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

Shaw University WSSU
Location Raleigh, NC Winston-Salem, NC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,067 5,004
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #956
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu wssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University WSSU
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $3,401
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $14,057
Room & Board $8,514 $11,220
Avg Net Price $14,204 $14,097
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $8,350
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 86%

Admission

Shaw University WSSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 7,628
Admitted 1,486 5,598
Acceptance Rate 61% 73.4%
Enrolled % 13.5% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.01
Typical High School Grades C+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 14/19
SAT Range 830/1050
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Shaw University WSSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Shaw University WSSU
Graduation Rate 27% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $35,700
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $25,663
Median Loan Payment $392 $265

Diversity

Shaw University WSSU
% Men 47% 24%
% Women 53% 76%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 1% 16%
% Black 58% 72%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 39% 2%

Students

Shaw University WSSU
% In-State 55% 82%
% Out-of-State 34% 16%

Campus

Shaw University WSSU
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

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (5,004 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or WSSU?

  • Shaw University is 247.2% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19% higher at WSSU than Shaw University ($14,057.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than Shaw University ($14,097 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 31.8% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($8,514 vs. $11,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shaw University than Winston Salem State University (87% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 86.2% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($15,548 vs. $8,350)

Shaw University vs. WSSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University or WSSU? 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 WSSU and Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at WSSU is higher than Shaw University (41% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($35,700 vs. $29,000)
  • Winston Salem State University students graduate with a $12,337 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($25,663 vs. $38,000)
  • WSSU graduates are paying $127 less per month on federal student loans 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/