Shawnee State University
- Graduation Rate
- 45% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,596 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $14,381 C+
- 16% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,247
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $853,795.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 45% — 21% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Shawnee State University Matters
Shawnee State University is a public university in Portsmouth, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,247
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Shawnee State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,381 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,596 ten years after enrolling — 3% below the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 40% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.30 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,247 students, Shawnee State University is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community that emphasizes hands-on learning. Students here typically dive into popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, and Computer Science, among others. This variety allows individuals to explore their interests while gaining practical experience that can translate directly into the workforce.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years out is $39,596. This figure gives a sense of the financial prospects available to graduates, especially considering the range of programs offered. While the graduation rate sits at 45%, many students find their footing in the job market; however, it’s always important to weigh the potential return on investment when considering this path.
When it comes to the bottom line, the net price for attending Shawnee State after financial aid is approximately $14,381, which is relatively manageable. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, a figure that can seem daunting but is often manageable with the right planning. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a practical approach to education and are motivated to carve out their paths in diverse fields.
Rankings
- #18 Best Nursing Colleges in Ohio
- #25 Best Computer Science Colleges in Ohio
- #25 Best Data Science Colleges in Ohio
- #25 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
- #29 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Ohio
- #29 Best Online Nursing Programs in Ohio
- #34 Best Biology Colleges in Ohio
- #34 Best Online Business Programs in Ohio
Can I Get In?
How selective Shawnee State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shawnee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Shawnee State University, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 43%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,368
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shawnee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shawnee State University is $17,358, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,381. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,310 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,626
- Out-of-State
- $17,358
- Avg Net Price
- $14,381
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,310
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,956
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,326
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,754
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Shawnee State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Shawnee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shawnee State University report median earnings of $39,596, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,080
- 8 Years
- $37,101
- 10 Years
- $39,596
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (101)
- 27%
- 100% (101)
- 27%
- 100% (101)
- 27%
- 100% (101)
- 27%
How Shawnee Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Shawnee State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Shawnee State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,381/year ($57,524 total). Graduates earn $39,596 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $911,319 in total earnings — a net gain of $853,795 (15.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,524
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $911,319
- Net Return
- $853,795
- ROI Multiple
- 15.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,381
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Shawnee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shawnee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.67%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $61,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.67%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 15.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $83,965
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,835,170
- Investment Income
- $-801,563
Top Programs
The fields Shawnee State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 41% $68,105 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $48,945 early-career
- Education 7% $38,107 early-career
- Humanities 5% $19,212 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Psychology 4% $31,771 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $29,247 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Shawnee State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shawnee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Shawnee State University, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shawnee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shawnee State University is $17,358, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,381. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,310 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is Shawnee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shawnee State University report median earnings of $39,596, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Shawnee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shawnee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.67%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $61,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Shawnee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shawnee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Shawnee State University.
- Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph, MO · Close peer39% grad $42,647 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS · Close peer51% grad $36,421 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS · Close peer51% grad $43,087 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, AR · Close peer46% grad $36,902 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY · Close peer44% grad $41,583 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Shawnee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shawnee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note