LRC vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

LRC vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC or Shepherd University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than LRC ($11,744 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 3.5% lower than at La Roche University ($12,916 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 276% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $24,996 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.5% higher at LRC than at Shepherd University (about $14,970 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at La Roche University (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 180.1% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($23,083 vs. $8,241).

LRC vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Shepherd University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shepherd University and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at La Roche University (1070) is 60 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Shepherd University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

LRC vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Shepherd University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $3,777 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($22,223 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($229 vs. $268).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.