Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and Shaw

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

  • Western Carolina is a public and Shaw is a private (not-for-profit) 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

Western Carolina Universityvs.Shaw University
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationRaleigh, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$17,738
65%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$15,006
81.83 %Acceptance Rates80.16 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)4.10 %
1,180SAT Score-
23ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate22 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate-
79 %Retention Rate52 %
11,686Student Population964
549Number of Faculties57
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services