Central Washington University vs. Shepherd University

Central Washington University and Shepherd University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central Washington University
Shepherd University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central Washington University (90.6% admitted vs 96.8%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Shepherd University. Average net price is $11,744 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Graduation: Central Washington University 56% vs Shepherd University 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs Shepherd University $41,500 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Central Washington University Shepherd University
Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
Shepherd University96.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Central Washington University higher
Central Washington University930-1150
Shepherd University878-1140
Average net price
Shepherd University $8,154 less
Central Washington University$19,898
Shepherd University$11,744
In-state tuition
Shepherd University $361 less
Central Washington University$9,417
Shepherd University$9,056
Out-of-state tuition
Shepherd University $8,444 less
Central Washington University$27,526
Shepherd University$19,082
Graduation rate
Central Washington University +10 pts
Central Washington University56%
Shepherd University46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central Washington University +$6,300
Central Washington University$47,800
Shepherd University$41,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Central Washington University and Shepherd University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Central Washington University Check my chances at Shepherd University
  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • Shepherd University
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • Shepherd University 878-1140
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • Shepherd University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • Shepherd University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Shepherd University 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Shepherd University $229
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • Shepherd University #891

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 21.6% lower than at Central Washington University ($12,916 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at Central Washington University than at Shepherd University (about $8,444 more per year; $27,526 vs. $19,082).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Central Washington University (96% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 7% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($8,816 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Shepherd University than at Central Washington University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Central Washington University, test optional at Shepherd University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $1,486 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($20,737 vs. $22,223).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Central Washington University
Shepherd University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges