Plaza College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, 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 Plaza College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Plaza College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza 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 Plaza College ($11,744 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 16.7% lower than at Plaza College ($12,916 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 70.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $6,394 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Shepherd University than at Plaza College (about $3,632 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Plaza College (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($8,241 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• 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: Plaza College - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 54.9% at Plaza College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Plaza College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza 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).

• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $8,308 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($13,915 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($143 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 30%)

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.