Shepherd University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Merced is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shepherd University 17:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 39.8% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,916 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.1% higher at UC Merced than at Shepherd University (about $30,741 more per year; $49,823 vs. $19,082).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at University of California Merced (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 231.2% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($27,292 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

• Incoming Shepherd University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Shepherd University, test-free at UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at UC Merced (3.55).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at Shepherd University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $2,324 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($19,899 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($205 vs. $229).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 53%).

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