Central Washington University vs. Shepherd University

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

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Location Ellensburg, WA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Distant Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 9,257 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #610 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cwu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $23,881 $15,774
Room & Board $13,645 $10,987
Avg Net Price $15,864 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $9,294 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 93%

Admission

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,409 1,690
Admitted 5,992 1,620
Acceptance Rate 93.5% 95.9%
Enrolled % 23.5% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.08 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/24
SAT Range 930/1150 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 56% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,737 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $214 $229

Diversity

Central Washington University Shepherd University
% Men 47% 37%
% Women 53% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 82%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 14% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Central Washington University Shepherd University
% In-State 95% 64%
% Out-of-State 5% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 3,235 students)

Central Washington University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or Shepherd University?

  • Central Washington University is 8.4% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.4% higher at Central Washington University than Shepherd University ($23,881.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Central Washington University ($9,827 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 24.2% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($10,987 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Central Washington University (93% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 26.8% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($9,294 vs. $7,328)

Central Washington University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 17 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Central Washington University (93.5%)

Central Washington University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central Washington 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 Central Washington University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Shepherd University (56% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $41,500)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $1,486 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $22,223)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($214 vs. $229)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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