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Portsmouth , OH
Shawnee State University is a public university located in Portsmouth, Ohio. Established in 1986, it is one of Ohio's regional state universities and provides high-quality academic programs for students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees. With its beautiful campus situated in the Ohio River Valley, Shawnee State offers a picturesque setting that enhances the learning experience for its students.
The university boasts a wide range of academic disciplines, including arts and sciences, business administration, education, engineering technology, health sciences, and social sciences. With over 80 different programs of study, students have the opportunity to explore diverse interests and find their passion. Faculty at Shawnee State are dedicated to their students' success and provide personalized attention to help them excel in their chosen field.
Shawnee State University provides a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to get involved on campus. The university offers various clubs, organizations, and athletic programs to cater to students' diverse interests and help them develop skills outside the classroom. The campus also hosts cultural events, guest speakers, and workshops, providing valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Students at Shawnee State not only receive a top-notch education but also a well-rounded college experience that prepares them for future success.
Located in Portsmouth, OH, Shawnee State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 81%. The freshman retention rate at Shawnee State University is 72% and the six-year graduation rate is 54%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Shawnee State University.
Quick Facts
2,994
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
54%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Shawnee State University and what are the admission requirements?
In 2025, the school accepted 2,488 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.42. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Shawnee State University was 72%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 54%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 3,231 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 11% for that year. There was a total of 2,994 undergraduate students, including 59 international students. 134 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 868 male and 1,208 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 15, while the number of Afro-American students was 88. 5 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 44 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 26 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1,123 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Shawnee State University? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $10,166 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $17,080. If you are an international student at Shawnee State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $17,080, as well.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $17,080 | Not Available | $ 17,080 |
| In-State | $10,166 | Not Available | $10,166 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,024.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Shawnee State University was $12,832 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $7,908 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,992.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,166 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,832 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,024 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,022 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Shawnee State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 592 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $8,972.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,417 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 1,900. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $7,992,769, and state $1,846,921. The students of Shawnee State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,407,727, and external in the amount of $915,862.
$3,875
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
665 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 310 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $554,464. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $163,386 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Shawnee State University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 290 faculty members. This number included 129 men and 161 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Shawnee State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Shawnee State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Shawnee State University.
Its campus is 62 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
There are 126 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is SSU Pool Club, followed by Theatre and Musicals Club and Intramurals. Other popular organizations at Shawnee State University are Esports and Circle K International.
You have a passion for media and communication? Shawnee State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Shawnee State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Shawnee State University.
All in all, campus life at Shawnee State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
FAQ
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Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, OH.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Shawnee State University is 81%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Shawnee State University is 72%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.