Shepherd University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It enrolls 2,344 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
67/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes34
Value87
Affordability64
Selectivity17
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 96.8%, Shepherd University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
96.8%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
878 – 1140
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 24
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Shepherd University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
0.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Shepherd University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $11,363 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$11,363
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
29%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
39%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,056
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$19,082
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,916
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,200
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,463
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,863
Total Cost of Attendance
$19,601
Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$7,906
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,753
$48,001 – $75,000
$10,107
$75,001 – $110,000
$14,000
Over $110,000
$15,866
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,25010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$21,600Medianpercentile
$25,00075%percentile
$33,48590%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $15,000
↓ $6,600
No Pell $13,321
↓ $8,279
Dependent students $14,000
↓ $7,600
Independent students $18,750
↓ $2,850
Female students $14,750
↓ $6,850
Male students $14,000
↓ $7,600
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($21,600), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
49% of full-time students who enrolled at Shepherd University graduate within six years, and 72% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
49%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
72%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Shepherd University earn a median of $49,358 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$49,358
Earning > $25K
75%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$39,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$48,600
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$41,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$47,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $9,400, about 19% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
14.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 77% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Shepherd University is home to 2,344 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 41% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
2,344
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
41%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 72.3%1,695
Hispanic 8.7%204
Black 8.3%194
Other 6.7%156
Asian 1.5%34
International 0.9%22
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Shepherd University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: FringeShepherdstown, West Virginia
Housing
Mostly residential1,074 beds on campus
Adult Learners
19%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Shepherd University offers
a varied set of programs:
38 distinct programs across
23 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Shepherd University is 16:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
16:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,240
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$30M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$69,129
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
124 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
34
27%
$80,470
Associate Professors
41
33%
$68,747
Assistant Professors
33
27%
$65,054
Lecturers
16
13%
$54,415
Pros & Cons of Shepherd University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Shepherd University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Below-average completion rate
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, Shepherd University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Shepherd University.
Is Shepherd University hard to get into?
Shepherd University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 96.8%.
What is the acceptance rate at Shepherd University?
Shepherd University has an acceptance rate of 96.8%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Shepherd University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Shepherd University scored between 878 and 1140 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Shepherd University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Shepherd University scored between 19 and 24 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Shepherd University cost?
The average net price after aid at Shepherd University is $11,363 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Shepherd University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $49,358 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $11,363 per year. That's roughly 4.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Shepherd University known for?
Shepherd University is best known for its programs in Nursing, Liberal Arts, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Shepherd University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Shepherd University are $49,358, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Shepherd University accredited?
Yes. Shepherd University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Shepherd University?
Shepherd University enrolls 2,344 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Shepherd University?
Shepherd University graduates 49% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Shepherd University a public or private college?
Shepherd University is a Public institution.
Where is Shepherd University located?
Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
What programs does Shepherd University offer?
Shepherd University offers 38 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Liberal Arts, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Shepherd University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Shepherd University is 16:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in West Virginia
Other colleges in West Virginia share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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Liberal Arts
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