True College Verdict
F

Shawnee State University

Portsmouth, OH · 2,247 undergraduates · 41% receive Pell Grants
PublicMainly bachelor's degrees

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,605 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 22.6 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
About average
Average net price $17,766 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
43% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $19,660 against earnings of $43,200, a ratio of 0.46. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Shawnee State University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

Nothing stands out as clearly better than similar colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 43% of students graduate. 80% of four-year colleges do better.
  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $43,200, lower than 88% of four-year colleges.
  • Earnings trail expectations by about $17,986 a year for a college with its student mix (the estimate is rough, with a typical error of about $15,000).
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $19,660 in federal loans against earnings of $43,200.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
43%
Better than 20% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
72%
Better than 36% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$43,200
Better than 12% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$19,660
Better than 20% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$17,766
Better than 60% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$10,894
Out of state: $17,808

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Associate degrees: largest programs

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

FieldGraduates a yearEarnings, 2 yrs afterDebt
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions5n/an/a

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Shawnee State University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost

The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.