Shaw University vs Allen University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

💰
Best Value
Allen University
Lower Net Price
💼
High Earners
Shaw University
Higher 10yr Salary
🏆
Most Selective
Shaw University
Harder to get in
🎓
Graduation
Shaw University
Higher success

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC

Allen University

Columbia, SC
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
30.5%
32.1%
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$14,083
$11,081
Tuition (In-State)
$17,176
$14,304
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$17,176
$14,304
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
65.1%
79.8%
Federal Loan Rate
58.4%
81.1%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$34,409
$30,497
Graduation Rate
16.6%
11.1%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
56.0%
90.0%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
839
635
Undergrad Enrollment
1,015
707
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

📋 Report Cards

Shaw University

Academics
C
Value
C+
Admissions
B+
Diversity
C

Allen University

Academics
C
Value
C+
Admissions
B+
Diversity
C

⚖️ Expert Analysis

Shaw University and Allen University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Shaw University is more selective with a 30.5% acceptance rate compared to Allen University's 32.1%.

Cost: Allen University offers a lower average net price at $11,081, which is $3,002 less than Shaw University ($14,083). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Shaw University earn a median salary of $34,409 ten years after enrollment, which is $3,912 more than Allen University graduates ($30,497).

Graduation: Shaw University leads with a 16.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 56.0% vs 90.0%.

Campus Size: Shaw University is the larger campus with 839 total students, while Allen University has 635.

Bottom Line: Allen University wins on affordability while Shaw University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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