Paier College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paier College in Bridgeport, CT with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Paier College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 203 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paier College is located in Bridgeport, CT (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Paier College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paier College 9:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Paier College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 28.2% lower than at Paier College ($12,916 vs. $18,000).
• Paier College is 162.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $14,704 more per year; $23,760.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Paier College than at Shepherd University (about $4,678 more per year; $23,760.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Paier College (96% vs. 0%).

Paier College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paier College 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 Paier College.

• Paier College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresShepherd 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: Paier College - Open admission; Shepherd University - Test optional.

Paier College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paier College 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.

• Paier College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Paier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $3,777 lower median loan debt than Paier College graduates ($22,223 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paier College graduates ($229 vs. $268).
• More Paier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.