Maria College of Albany vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Maria College of Albany in Albany, NY with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Maria College of Albany based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 722 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maria College of Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Maria College of Albany is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maria College of Albany 6:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Maria College of Albany vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maria College of Albany 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 Maria College of Albany ($11,744 vs. $16,254).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maria College of Albany are 26.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($9,500 vs. $12,916).
• Maria College of Albany is 106.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $9,684 more per year; $18,740.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Shepherd University than at Maria College of Albany (about $342 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $18,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Maria College of Albany (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maria College of Albany students is 26.3% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($10,405 vs. $8,241).

Maria College of Albany vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maria College of Albany 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 Maria College of Albany.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Maria College of Albany (1030) is 20 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Maria College of Albany 965/1095; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maria College of Albany - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Shepherd University students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Maria College of Albany (2.5).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Maria College of Albany (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.3% at Maria College of Albany vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Maria College of Albany vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maria College of Albany 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.

• Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate is 46%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Maria College of Albany.
• Graduates from Maria College of Albany earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have a $2,105 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($20,118 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($208 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maria College of Albany students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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.