Shaw University vs. PLU

Should I go to Shaw University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Shaw University or PLU 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. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Shaw University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Shaw University Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Shaw University PLU
Location Raleigh, NC Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,067 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311
Religious Affiliation Baptist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University PLU
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $49,472
Room & Board $8,514 $11,826
Avg Net Price $14,204 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 99%

Admission

Shaw University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 3,334
Admitted 1,486 2,964
Acceptance Rate 61% 88.9%
Enrolled % 13.5% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.71
Typical High School Grades C+ A-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/30
SAT Range 1253/1423
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, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Shaw University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Shaw University PLU
Graduation Rate 27% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $392 $266

Diversity

Shaw University PLU
% Men 47% 36%
% Women 53% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 68%
% Black 58% 3%
% Hispanic 0% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 7%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 39% 1%

Students

Shaw University PLU
% In-State 55% 74%
% Out-of-State 34% 22%

Campus

Shaw University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 319% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 319% higher at PLU than Shaw University ($49,472.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than PLU ($14,204 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 38.9% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($8,514 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Shaw University (99% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 134.3% larger than aid received Shaw University ($36,435 vs. $15,548)

Shaw University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 1.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Shaw University (66% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $23,300 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $29,000)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $12,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $38,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $126 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($266 vs. $392)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 15%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/