SHU vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

SHU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU 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 SHU ($11,744 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 32.5% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,916 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 456.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $41,348 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.1% higher at SHU than at Shepherd University (about $31,322 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Shepherd University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 162.4% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($21,625 vs. $8,241).

SHU vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU 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 SHU.

• 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: SHU - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SHU (3.55).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

SHU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU 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).

• Sacred Heart University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,777 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($22,223 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($229 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.