Shepherd University vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shepherd University 17:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Shepherd University vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shepherd University or Carolina 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 Carolina University ($11,744 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carolina University are 4% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,400 vs. $12,916).
• Carolina University is 94.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $8,519 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Shepherd University than at Carolina University (about $1,507 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carolina University students is 45% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($11,947 vs. $8,241).

Shepherd University vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shepherd University or Carolina 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 Carolina University and Shepherd University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shepherd University - Test optional; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at Shepherd University vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Shepherd University vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shepherd University and Carolina 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).

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.