Fayetteville State University vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fayetteville State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (7,107 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 11.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($11,449 vs. $12,916).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.4% higher at Shepherd University than at Fayetteville State University (about $10,729 more per year; $19,082 vs. $8,353).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Fayetteville State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fayetteville State University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($8,777 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Shepherd University than at Fayetteville State University (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fayetteville State University and Shepherd University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.49 higher than at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have a $62 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($22,161 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Shepherd University and Fayetteville State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($229 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 28%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.