ATU vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Arkansas Tech University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ATU 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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Arkansas Tech University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Arkansas Tech University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Arkansas Tech University Shepherd University
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Overview

ATU Shepherd University
Location Russellville, AR Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 9,445 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #927 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website atu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ATU Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $5,820 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $11,640 $15,774
Room & Board $9,157 $10,987
Avg Net Price $12,016 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $8,440 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 93%

Admission

ATU Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,762 1,690
Admitted 5,439 1,620
Acceptance Rate 94.4% 95.9%
Enrolled % 26.7% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/24
SAT Range 990/1180 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

ATU Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

ATU Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 43% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,750 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $183 $229

Diversity

ATU Shepherd University
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 82%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

ATU Shepherd University
% In-State 94% 64%
% Out-of-State 5% 35%

Campus

ATU 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

  • Arkansas Tech University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,445 students vs. 3,235 students)

ATU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Shepherd University?

  • Shepherd University is 8% more expensive to attend than ATU for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $5,820.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.5% higher at Shepherd University than Arkansas Tech University ($15,774.00 vs. $11,640.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than ATU ($9,827 vs. $12,016)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 20% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($9,157 vs. $10,987)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas Tech University as Shepherd University (93% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 15.2% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($8,440 vs. $7,328)

ATU vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ATU (3.37)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than ATU (94.4%)

ATU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ATU 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 ATU.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Arkansas Tech University (46% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $4,400 more per year than ATU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $37,100)
  • Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a $4,473 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($17,750 vs. $22,223)
  • ATU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($183 vs. $229)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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