Peirce College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Peirce College in Philadelphia, 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 Peirce College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 929 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Peirce College is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Peirce College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Peirce College 13:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Peirce College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peirce College 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 Peirce College ($11,744 vs. $13,290).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 31.9% lower than at Shepherd University ($8,800 vs. $12,916).
• Peirce College is 66.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $6,004 more per year; $15,060.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Shepherd University than at Peirce College (about $4,022 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peirce College than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($8,241 vs. $5,370).

Peirce College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Peirce College or Shepherd University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shepherd University and Peirce College.

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Peirce College - Open admission; Shepherd University - Test optional.

Peirce College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peirce College and Shepherd University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $13,902 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($22,223 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($229 vs. $373).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 32%)

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.