Salem State University vs. Shepherd University

Salem State University and Shepherd University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Salem State University
Shepherd University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salem State University (95.9% admitted vs 96.8%). Typical SAT 1080 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Shepherd University. Average net price is $11,744 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: Salem State University 42% vs Shepherd University 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salem State University $44,400 vs Shepherd University $41,500 (median).
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Key differences

Salem State University Shepherd University
Acceptance rate
Salem State University more selective
Salem State University95.9%
Shepherd University96.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salem State University higher
Salem State University990-1160
Shepherd University878-1140
Average net price
Shepherd University $5,797 less
Salem State University$17,541
Shepherd University$11,744
In-state tuition
Shepherd University $3,282 less
Salem State University$12,338
Shepherd University$9,056
Out-of-state tuition
Shepherd University $449 less
Salem State University$19,531
Shepherd University$19,082
Graduation rate
Shepherd University +4 pts
Salem State University42%
Shepherd University46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$2,900
Salem State University$44,400
Shepherd University$41,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Salem State University
  • Shepherd University
  • SAT range
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • Shepherd University 878-1140
  • ACT range
  • Salem State University
  • Shepherd University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Shepherd University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average net price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average grant aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Shepherd University 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median loan payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • Shepherd University $229
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • Shepherd University #891

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 23.3% lower than at Salem State University ($12,916 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Salem State University than at Shepherd University (about $449 more per year; $19,531 vs. $19,082).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Shepherd University (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($10,319 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Shepherd University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $1,777 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,223 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($229 vs. $248).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 53%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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