Academic Comparison between Shaw and Western Carolina

Shaw University and Western Carolina University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Shaw is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Raleigh, NC and Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Shaw is a private (not-for-profit) and Western Carolina is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Shaw has more expensive tuition & fees ($17,738) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to Shaw than Western Carolina.
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while Shaw has 964 students.
  • Shaw has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while Western Carolina's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while Shaw has 57 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Shaw Universityvs.Western Carolina University
Raleigh, North CarolinaLocationCullowhee, North Carolina
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Diverse FieldsCarnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
$17,7382025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
92%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$15,006Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,267
80.16 %Acceptance Rates81.83 %
4.10 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.70 %
-SAT Score1,180
-ACT Score23
22 %Graduation Rate60 %
-Transfer-out Rate27 %
52 %Retention Rate79 %
964Student Population11,686
57Number of Faculties549
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare