Shaw University

Shaw University is known for being the first historically black university in the Southern United States at the time that it opened in 1865. Shaw University is known as the “mother of African-American colleges in North Carolina,” as many of its alumni went on to establish other black universities. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Shaw University remains a private, Baptist, liberal arts college.

The cost of yearly tuition at Shaw University is nearly $30,000 a year. And with a graduation rate of 25%—better than some in the state, but still less than stellar—it quickly becomes apparent that Shaw University is not a great choice for those looking to save money. The 20-year return on investment at Shaw University is, as estimated by PayScale, less than -$93,000. This is a hefty price that many young adults can’t afford today.