Campus & Student Life at Shaw University

Home to about 1,152 undergraduates in 2020, Shaw University is a small, private university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. This urban setting might be best suited for students who like the fast-paced city life. Should you tire of the campus however, Shaw University offers a “study abroad” program. Please note, some classes/degrees offered by Shaw University can be taken “online” so keep that in mind when reviewing this report. For more context, you might also check out our Shaw University Guide to Distance and Online Learning.

Shaw University is an "Historically Black College or University" (HBCU)

The Higher Education Act of 1965 established historically black colleges and universities as institutions whose principal mission was the education of African-Americans. Today, the HBCU designation does not necessitate that Shaw University is exclusively or even predominantly African-American (though it currently is). Thanks to integration efforts, there are HBCUs with non-black majorities and non-HBCUs with black majorities. For more information you can review the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Shaw University is Affiliated With the Baptist Faith.

Some, but not all, schools with a religious affiliation may require a statement of faith or religious studies component. Contact the school to see what their requirements are. If an affinity with the Baptist faith interests you, check out our ranking of The Best Baptist Colleges and Universities.

Shaw University Has a Disability Services Site

For more information on policies and accommodations that the university provides to ensure all students get the opportunity to participate, you can visit Shaw University Disability Services.

Shaw University for the Military

While not a "service academy", Shaw University does offer support for veterans and those seeking a career in the armed forces. Undergraduates have access to one or more ROTC programs. For more information, check out our Shaw University for Veterans Guide.

Freshmen Living Arrangements at Shaw University

Shaw University offers on-campus housing, but freshmen are not required to take advantage of it. In the end though, most do choose to live in the dorms.

* Data compiled from students who received financial aid, including loans.

Full-time vs. Part-time Studies at Shaw University

Shaw University has a comparatively small, student body. There were 1,152 undergraduates in 2020. Full-time attendance was 1,048 (91.0%). Part-time attendance was 104 (9.0%).

Shaw University is Ranked #874 for Overall Diversity

Compared to other colleges and universities across the nation, Shaw University is more diverse than average in terms of overall diversity. We rank Shaw University #874 out of 3,451.

The chart below shows each element that we looked at to determine this ranking, and how that metric compares to the national average. 100 would indicate excellent diversity in each category, and 1 would mean poor diversity.

You can learn more about the diversity of the student body at Shaw University by looking closer at the ethnic,  gender,  age, and geographic diversity metrics from the Shaw University Diversity Guide.

Shaw University Competes in the NCAA

Shaw University has a total of 197 student athletes, 121 men and 76 women who compete in inter-collegiate athletics.

Athletics Financing

For more information about athletics including per-team sizes, coaching and scholarships check out our Guide to Shaw University Athletics