Resources › For Students and Parents Shaw University Admissions Costs, Financial Aid, Graduation Rates & More Share Flipboard Email Print For Students and Parents College Admissions College Admissions Process College Profiles College Rankings Choosing A College Application Tips Essay Samples & Tips Testing Graphs College Financial Aid Extracurricular Activities Advanced Placement Homework Help Private School Test Prep College Life Graduate School Business School Law School Distance Learning View More By Allen Grove College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Allen Grove Updated November 09, 2017 Shaw University Admissions Overview: Along with an application, prospective students applying to Shaw University will need to submit high school transcripts and three letters of recommendation. Students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Around half of applicants are admitted each year; students with solid grades have a good chance of getting into the school. If you have any questions, be sure to contact the admissions office at Shaw. Admissions Data (2016): Shaw University Acceptance Rate: 49%Shaw University has test-optional admissionsTest Scores -- 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: - / -SAT Math: - / -SAT Writing: - / -What's a good SAT score?ACT Composite: - / -ACT English: - / -ACT Math: - / -What's a good ACT score? Shaw University Description: Shaw University is a four-year, private, historically Black, Baptist university. Shaw has a rich history: founded in 1865, it is the oldest historically Black university in the South; it was the first four-year medical school for African-Americans; and it is home to the first building in the United States that was built to educate African-American women. The university is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, roughly 260 miles from Washington, D.C. and 140 miles from Charlotte. North Carolina State University, Meredith College, and Saint Augustine's University are all within a few miles of campus. Shaw University students can choose from about 30 undergraduate degree programs with business and social work being the most popular. Academics are supported by a student / faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Students stay active outside of the classroom through participation in a wide range of clubs and organizations including a debate team, marching band, and fraternity and sorority system. On the athletic front, the Shaw University Bears compete in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) with sports including men’s and women’s tennis, cross country, and basketball. Shaw's teams for baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, football, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball have all won championships. Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 1,844 (1,713 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 43% Male / 57% Female94% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $16,580Books: $1,300 (why so much?)Room and Board: $8,158Other Expenses: $3,440Total Cost: $29,478 Shaw University Financial Aid (2015 - 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 98%Loans: 91%Average Amount of AidGrants: $11,074Loans: $7,036 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors: Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 48%4-Year Graduation Rate: 8%6-Year Graduation Rate: 19% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Men's Sports: Basketball, Football, Tennis, Cross CountryWomen's Sports: Bowling, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like Shaw University, You May Also Like These Schools: Clark Atlanta University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphVirginia State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBenedict College: Profile Virginia Union University: Profile North Carolina Central University: Profile Howard University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphChowan University: Profile Bethune-Cookman University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMorgan State University: Profile Savannah State University: Profile Norfolk State University: Profile