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Shaw University

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · City · 875 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,512
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
21%
Graduation rate
43% typical
$34,409
Earnings 10 years on
$45,606 typical
80%
Acceptance rate
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Founded in 1865 in downtown Raleigh, Shaw University holds the historic distinction of being the first historically Black institution of higher education in the American South and the birthplace of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The university offers strong academic programs in areas such as criminal justice, business administration, biology, and theology through its renowned Shaw University Divinity School. Student life is anchored by a close-knit, faith-informed HBCU culture featuring rich Greek life and CIAA athletic traditions, all enhanced by direct access to career and internship opportunities in North Carolina's thriving capital city.

Wikipedia:Shaw University is a private historically Black university in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded on December 1, 1865, Shaw University is the oldest HBCU to begin offering courses in the Southern United States. The school had its origin in the formation of a theological class of freedmen in the Guion Hotel. The following year it moved to a large wooden building, at the corner of Blount and Cabarrus Streets in Raleigh, where it continued as the Raleigh Institute until 1870. In 1870, the school moved to its current location on the former property of Confederate General Barringer and changed its name to the Shaw Collegiate Institute, in honor of Elijah Shaw. In 1875, the school was officially chartered with the State of North Carolina as Shaw University.

Location
Raleigh, NC, 27601 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
11 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$17,538
Housing & food (on campus)$9,210
Books & supplies$1,300
Cost of attendance$30,861
Average net price$16,512
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$17,538
Housing & food (on campus)$9,210
Books & supplies$1,300
Cost of attendance$30,861
Average net price$16,512
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$16,236
$30–48k
$16,276
$48–75k
$21,145
$110k+
$24,966
Grants from the school
75% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $6,896
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
21%
Within 4 yrs
10%
Back for yr 2
52%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 20.1% · others: 30.3% 
8 yrs after starting
17% graduated · 50% transferred · 33% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$26,148
10 yrs after entry$34,409
Debt
Median at graduation$32,500
Monthly payment$345
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$30k
90th percentile$44,000
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
80%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 76.1% · women 82.3% 
Yield: 4.1% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Shaw University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
14 : 1
Pell grant
66%
First-gen
40%
Family income
$21,406
Independent
12%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
6%
Where first-years come from
In state (NC)
50.8%
Out of state
42.1%
International
5.8%

Most out-of-state first-years from: DC 16 · MD 13 · GA 11 · SC 9 · CA 7

Race & ethnicity
White
2%
Hispanic
6%
Black
72%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
9%
Unknown
7%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$26,148
After 10 yrs
$34,409
Business Administration, Management and Operations40
Communication and Media Studies21
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness20
Criminal Justice and Corrections16
Social Work16
Psychology, General14
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies10
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General9
Sociology8
Political Science and Government7
Computer Science6
Biology, General5
Computer and Information Sciences, General3
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods3
Music3
Accounting and Related Services2
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$14M
Full-time faculty
57%
Faculty salary
$5,041/mo
Teaching spend
$7,287
per student
Federal loans
71%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Shaw University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search