Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Shaw University #1249 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,104 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shaw University in the 44.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Shaw University #792 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Shaw University #1249 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Raleigh, North Carolina, Shaw University enrolls roughly 875 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 51.6% freshman retention rate and a 21.8% six-year graduation rate. Shaw University draws strength from its access mission and mobility outcomes. 66.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.1% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with substantial financial need. Graduates earn about $3,104 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shaw University in the 44.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Shaw University #1338 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite reflects a balanced profile across the four pillars of value. Shaw University sits in the 0.2 percentile for mobility and the 44.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, with access at the 81.1 percentile. As a business-focused institution, Shaw University channels students into fields with direct labor-market connections, supporting the earnings outcomes that distinguish its value proposition for students seeking a clear path from enrollment to employment.
Shaw University's published cost of attendance is $30,861. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,236, middle-income families pay around $21,145, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,966. Azimuth ranks Shaw University #792 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Shaw University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need through grants and scholarships, though the extent of that aid varies by income level and individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $32,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,479; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $44,468, median federal debt of $32,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $367 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Shaw University is a good fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Raleigh, NC. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,468, placing Shaw University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,104 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 44.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 66.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.1% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Shaw University in the 4.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 80.2% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields over STEM or health sciences. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a pathway to upward mobility.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Shaw University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Shaw University's published cost of attendance is $30,861. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,236, middle-income families pay around $21,145, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,966.
Azimuth ranks Shaw University #792 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Shaw University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages.
The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need through grants and scholarships, though the extent of that aid varies by income level and individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $32,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,479; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $44,468, median federal debt of $32,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $367 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,468, placing Shaw University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Shaw University sits in the 44.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Shaw University #1338 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 9.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to NC's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928 (the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern reflects Shaw University's concentration in business and professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 28 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,401, representing 0.7x the national benchmark for the field.
Criminal Justice follows with 20 graduates earning $43,299, and Social Work contributes 18 graduates earning $46,981. The institution's dominant program family of Business anchors the overall earnings profile, with graduates moving into stable professional roles in accounting, management, and related fields that support sustained income growth over the career span.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Villa Maria College Similar quality tier (#34953 ranked) | NY | 87% | $38,857 | #34953 | Compare |
University Of Northwestern-St Paul Similar quality tier (#34956 ranked) | MN | 93% | $50,755 | #34956 | Compare |
Luther College Similar quality tier (#34957 ranked) | IA | 72% | $59,850 | #34957 | Compare |
St. Thomas Aquinas College Similar quality tier (#34951 ranked) | NY | 93% | $62,909 | #34951 | Compare |
Midway University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#34950 ranked) | KY | 95% | $44,246 | #34950 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
28 graduates
Social Work
18 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
16 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
20 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
8 graduates
Shaw University's program mix is anchored in business, education, and social sciences — a portfolio aligned with the institution's historically Black university mission and regional labor-market demand. Business Administration is the largest program with 28 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Social Work, Kinesiology, and Psychology, General.
The institution's dominant program family, Business, represents a significant share of degree output and reflects strong regional employer demand in accounting, management, and finance sectors. Median earnings four years after enrollment vary across the program portfolio.
Business Administration graduates earn $47,401, while Criminal Justice graduates earn $43,299. Among the institution's highest-earning programs, Business Administration graduates earn $47,401, and Social Work graduates earn $46,981.
This earnings distribution reflects the mix of applied-professional fields like business and accounting alongside social-science and education pathways, where four-year earnings may undercount lifetime trajectory for graduates who pursue advanced degrees. Shaw's program concentration in business and education aligns with stable, in-demand career pathways in the Southeast.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families connect to regional and national labor-market trends. For prospective students, exploring specific program earnings and career outcomes through the institution's program pages can help clarify which fields offer the strongest financial returns relative to individual career goals.
