Founded in 1865, Shaw University. is a Private college. Located in North Carolina, which is a city setting in North Carolina, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,713 full time undergraduate students, and 131 full time graduate students.
The Shaw University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 76 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Shaw University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
48%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
25
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,17% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 7 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
22% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 4% were in the top quarter, and 1% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Shaw University.
10%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
52%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
5%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
29%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
33%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
67%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
24%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
35%
“We bought the gear”
55%
“We live for the big game”
25%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
14%
“Available in class”
57%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
52%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
10%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
10%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
71%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
19%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
20%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
15%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
52%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
5%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
29%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
33%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
67%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
24%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
35%
“We bought the gear”
55%
“We live for the big game”
25%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
14%
“Available in class”
57%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
52%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
10%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
59 Students rated on-campus housing 2.9 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
46 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
62 Students rated campus food 2.7 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
70 Students rated campus facilities 3 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
70 Students rated class size 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
69 Students rated school activities 3.4 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
69 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
70 Students rated academics 3.2 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
Shaw University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Shaw University?
23 Students rated Shaw University
Felton
08/26/2019
Shaw University is a school that tries to get all students involved. You can feel the culture within the school. They do different things inside the school to make it better and they also hold events on school campus that usually attracts the whole campus to participate.
Jaden
07/20/2019
I like Shaw University, when I arrived there the people I met were so nice with helping my
With my classes and I love the campus because it’s so small to the point where you can’t be late a class even if it’s across the campus. Not only but also my fellow peers that I met where really nice with helping me if I need help to a class.
Teniya
05/30/2019
Shaw is a good school and is in a great location. The professors are here to help you. The girls dorms and bathrooms can be upgraded. I like that the classes aren't that large and if you communicate with your professors they will assist. The faculty is very knowledgeable when you have concerns referring to your classes to take for the upcoming semester. With this being my first year, I have met some great people this year. Shaw has made me become independent. My parents aren't at the school to do everything for me. I had to learn how to do it on my own. I would recommend Shaw to any incoming freshman.
Katherine
11/29/2018
Shaw University needs improvements all around. From the financial aid to professors, and to facilities.
Marcia
11/28/2018
Shaw University is becoming a slow process and can use some improvements, the teachers could be more engaged and the school could care about their students more instead of just extorting money. Another thing Shaw can use some improvements has far as food and the dorm life.
Deztini
07/05/2018
My overall opinion of Shaw University is that it is a well rounded HBCU, the school works very hard to make sure all students have what they need, SGA does very well to not only make sure it is a great learning environment for students but also a fun environment that we can be comfortable in while we’re away from home.
Tyheera
05/15/2018
Shaw Univeraity is a wonder historica black college university. The staff are amazing and test students with respect. The food could be better and I hope to receive quarter machines for our laundry soon.
Marissa
05/14/2018
Shaw is the school or you if you want a small class room setting and to feel more at home. The only issue I had when first looking into it was the freshman dorms but as I visited other colleges all freshman dorms wee the least attractive. The campus staff and family are rally welcoming tho.
Masophia
05/11/2018
I honestly have enjoyed being at Shaw University. While being at Shaw I had the opportunity to become a member of the Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and I am now the 2018-2019 Miss. Shaw University. I went into Shaw with an open mind set. I am always ready to learn and better myself and campus with my other peers that are involved in campus activities.
T
05/11/2018
Shaw University could be a great school if they better their housing, food, and financial aid. I attended for 1 year it felt more like high school again wasn’t much to get out and do on campus, I feel as if they should have more activities and opportunities for the students. I would love to go back but with the financial office I can’t!
Kedesia
05/02/2018
Shaw University is the best HBCU because, there's so much history behind this school and I am honored to be part of it.
Christine
04/27/2018
I feel as if my University has the potential to be one of the greatest HBCUs. There is a need to enhance the political science department. The University should receive more funding towards infrastructure and beautification, it will boost retention rates.
keila
03/27/2018
Shaw University is a baptist based campus and is also a campus open to the public. Many of the students at Shaw are involved in either sports or have no involvement at all. Most students have either a job or in work study to help them through college. The housing on campus is alright, there are lower classmen dorms and upperclassmen dorms. Dorms can sometimes be either hot or cold and the bathrooms are a community. The food on campus is not always the best but the luckily we are centered in the middle of downtown so there is always something new to try or somewhere new to go. While being a current college student, most struggles in college come from procrastination and lacking sleep sometimes trying to make up work. The campus can sometimes be a great place to be and other times the campus is boring and nobody might be here. A lot of in-state students go here and many different cultures are involved around campus. Shaw campus is like a hit or miss sometimes.
Natasha
01/04/2018
Shaw university is a black school. The school was founded in 1865. This was during the time when most black people were not provided much with education and it started as something to help with education for the black community. Shaw university is a well proper university that promotes the sense of education and changes the stereotypes that is given to black people and this means being able to provide to education for our generation especially in the black community. Shaw university enhances education by making sure everyone receives a degree in whatever major being studied. Being a Shaw student I think that being in Shaw university has promoted better education to people especially the black community.
Alana
07/18/2017
Shaw University is a great school. The teachers are all nice. The campus is clean and a beautiful campus. The students are really friendly. The sports here are incredible, they have dedicated people in all their sports. This school is just overall great.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Shaw University is 48%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Stay focused, and calm and collected its just another walkthrough of accomplishing your dreams.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known the living conditions before I went Shaw University. The are bats in the ceilings, dirt and grime in the bathrooms, and alot of dust in the ventilation systems. I was a part of the protest that made the media. I will be transferring from Shaw University in the spring semester.
A strong and motivated individuals should attend shaw university. The reason i say that is because i have never lived this way in my life until i came ot college and that i not a good thing at all.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I brag about how compassonate and caring my professor are at my school and how they only expect the students to strive for exellence and I also brag about how diverse and unity my school is and how the students and professor are like a family who prays together and pray together. I brag about how I feel connected to the students and the professors and how they really care and really wants everyone to do the best that they can.
I consider the unity and compassionate that the faculty show toward the student as the best thing about my school; and also the motivation and willingness to help students so tha they can achieve their career goal is a plus for my school as well.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
I believe the type of person that shouldn't attend this university is the kind of person that don't want an education. This university is on the move and is about graduating students who wants to learn and progress in the professional world, and for somebody who don't want an education, they would just be wasting their time and money.
My professors know my name because the classes are so small. The largest I've seen is about 30 students. Some students do go to the library to study but you'll always see someone just randomly browsing the web or being loud. My favorite class so far is English Composition. It has challenged me to think about what I'm writing much more so than I have before. The class I hate the most is my math class. The professor doesn't really elaborate on things and he's very hard to understand at times.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
98% of students attending Shaw University receive some sort of financial aid.
89% were awarded federal grants.91%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.