College Search
Shaw University

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · City · 875 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,512
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
21%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$34,409
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
80%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

As the first historically Black university (HBCU) in the Southern United States and the birthplace of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Shaw University in downtown Raleigh is celebrated for its rich legacy of leadership and social justice. Academically, the university is best known for its robust and career-focused programs in business administration, social work, mass communications, and kinesiology. Students experience a vibrant, close-knit campus culture defined by proud HBCU traditions, active Greek life, and Division II athletics, all while benefiting from a prime urban location that provides direct access to internships and networking opportunities in North Carolina’s 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
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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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 · 2023-24
$0–30k
$16,236
$30–48k
$16,276
$48–75k
$21,145
$110k+
$24,966
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
21%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
10%
Back for yr 2
52%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
17% graduated · 50% transferred · 33% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
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 · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
80%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

Wondering if Shaw University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout 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
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%
Race & ethnicity
White
2%
Hispanic
6%
Black
72%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
9%
Unknown
7%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • 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 · measured 2020 & 2021
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?

SchoolScout 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