Alvernia University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Alvernia University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alvernia University or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alvernia University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Alvernia University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Alvernia University Shepherd University
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Overview

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Location Reading, PA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 2,484 3,235
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #739 #866
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alvernia.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $39,100 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $39,100 $15,774
Room & Board $14,030 $10,987
Avg Net Price $27,091 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $25,757 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,703 1,690
Admitted 3,365 1,620
Acceptance Rate 59% 95.9%
Enrolled % 14.8% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 996/1170 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 53% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $279 $229

Diversity

Alvernia University Shepherd University
% Men 35% 37%
% Women 65% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 82%
% Black 13% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Alvernia University Shepherd University
% In-State 72% 64%
% Out-of-State 25% 35%

Campus

Alvernia University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shepherd University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 2,484 students)

Alvernia University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Shepherd University?

  • Alvernia University is 521.8% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 147.9% higher at Alvernia University than Shepherd University ($39,100.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Alvernia University ($9,827 vs. $27,091)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 27.7% lower than costs at Alvernia University ($10,987 vs. $14,030)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 251.5% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($25,757 vs. $7,328)

Alvernia University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Alvernia University .

  • The average SAT score at Alvernia University (998) is 3 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming Alvernia University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Alvernia University (3.41)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Alvernia University (59%)

Alvernia University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alvernia University or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Alvernia University.

  • The graduation rate at Alvernia University is higher than Shepherd University (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Alvernia University earn on average $3,300 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $41,500)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $4,777 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $27,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($229 vs. $279)
  • More Alvernia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/