At $14,083/yr net price, Shaw University graduates earn $34,409/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $409/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,083 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,332 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,409/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$409/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 137.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $32,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,125/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,508/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,310/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,059/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,706/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $29,836 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $31,305 | $82,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $29,866 | $28,672 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. | Bachelor | $23,340 | $35,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $21,703 | $37,484 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $40,500 |
The Risk Factor
20.2% of students at Shaw University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Shaw University's numbers are hard to justify financially. You'll pay roughly $14,000 a year, borrow around $32,500, and ten years out the typical graduate earns about $34,000 , barely above what many high school graduates make. That gap between debt and earnings is the core problem here, and it defines the risk of enrolling.
The bigger issue is whether you graduate at all. Only about one in five students finishes, and just over half return after their first year. If you take on that $32,500 in debt and leave without a degree, you carry the loans without the earnings bump they were supposed to fund. This is the single largest financial risk at Shaw.
Among the majors listed, social work and business administration are the best of a weak field, landing around $32,000 and $30,000 while keeping debt near or below that number. Communication and media studies is the trap to avoid: it pays the least of the five yet carries the highest debt at $40,500. Criminal justice and parks and recreation also leave you owing more than you're likely to earn in your first year out. None of these programs clears the bar you'd want, but the pay-off gap is steepest for communication.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay less than middle-income families do, around $12,000. But the $48-75k bracket pays the most after the wealthiest, and families over $110k pay nearly $25,000 a year.
Shaw makes the most sense if you're low-income, committed to social work or business, and confident you'll finish. If you're unsure about graduating or drawn to the lower-paying majors, the debt math points you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shaw University worth the cost?
Shaw University's ROI is poor, with graduates earning $34,409 ten years after enrollment while carrying $32,500 in median debt. The 20% graduation rate means most students don't complete their degree, making the financial risk high.
What programs at Shaw University have the best job prospects?
Social Work offers the highest earnings at Shaw University with graduates making $32,391 annually. Business Administration and Theological Studies follow, but all top programs pay below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Shaw University graduates typically have?
Shaw University graduates carry a median debt of $32,500, which is problematic given the low earnings of $34,409 ten years post-graduation. This creates a difficult debt-to-income ratio for most graduates.
Does Shaw University provide good financial aid?
Shaw University's net price of $14,083 per year is relatively affordable compared to many private colleges. However, the low graduation rate and poor earnings outcomes make even this reduced cost a risky investment for most students.