Shaw University
Shaw University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Shaw University Worth It?
At a value score of 11/100, Shaw University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $34,409 — 36% below average — while paying $16,512/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 21% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $32,500 representing 94% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Shaw University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Shaw University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #38 of 45 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #4 | Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | 37 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
| #5 | Donnelly College | 33 | $11,476 | $35,715 |
| #6 | Spartanburg Methodist College | 30 | $14,580 | $42,895 |
| #38 | Shaw University | 11 | $16,512 | $34,409 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Shaw University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at Shaw University
The highest-earning program at Shaw University is Social Work at $31,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $14,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Social Work graduate from Shaw University earns $31,500, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $14,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Social Work graduates carry $35,336 in median debt vs. $35,554 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,512/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $31,500 | $31,500 | $35,336 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,100 | $28,100 | $36,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $21,700 | $21,700 | $40,279 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $14,900 | $14,900 | $35,554 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
- Student Body
- 875 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,512
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $34,409
- Median Student Debt
- $32,500