Shaw University vs. NSU

Shaw University and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Shaw University
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Shaw University (80.2% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $16,445 at Shaw University.
  • Graduation: Shaw University 27% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Shaw University $29,000 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Shaw University Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
Shaw University more selective
Shaw University80.2%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
Shaw University-
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $7,321 less
Shaw University$16,445
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $7,358 less
Shaw University$17,538
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
Shaw University $4,144 less
Shaw University$17,538
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
NSU +6 pts
Shaw University27%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
NSU +$7,700
Shaw University$29,000
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Shaw University
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Shaw University
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Shaw University B-
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Shaw University
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Shaw University
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Shaw University
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Shaw University 97%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Shaw University 27%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Shaw University 15%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Shaw University $392
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Shaw University Large City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Shaw University 964
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Shaw University
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Shaw University in Raleigh, NC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 964 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 20.5% lower than at Norfolk State University ($9,210 vs. $11,591).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.6% higher at NSU than at Shaw University (about $4,144 more per year; $21,682 vs. $17,538).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Norfolk State University (97% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($15,056 vs. $14,417).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Shaw University, test optional at NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NSU average a 2.9 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Shaw University (2.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Norfolk State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($31,000 vs. $38,000).
  • Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($320 vs. $392).
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation (27% vs. 15%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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