About

About Shaw University

hbcuprivate institutionbusiness and education focussmall campus community

Shaw University is a private liberal arts college in Raleigh, NC, known for its hbcu, private institution, and business and education focus. With an acceptance rate of 61%, Shaw University is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 200 students each year. Shaw University is test optional; submitting a strong score can strengthen an application, though it is not required for consideration. Shaw University offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $14,737 per year; the sticker price of $29,734 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Shaw University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

61%
Overall Accept Rate

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Shaw University

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Shaw University is the oldest HBCU in the South, and the admissions team genuinely wants to know why that history and mission matter to you personally. Write about what being part of that legacy means for your goals, not just that you want a diverse environment.
Test Score Strategy
Since Shaw is test optional, hold off on submitting your scores and let your GPA, activities, and any personal statement do the work instead.

Get a tailored strategy for Shaw University. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Shaw University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$30k/yr$16.2k
30k-48k~$30k/yr$16.3k
48k-75k~$30k/yr$21.1k
110k+~$30k/yr$25.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

20%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$26k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
14:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
927
Undergrad Enrollment
Shaw University Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch