Shepherd University vs. West Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than West Liberty University based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 2,299 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Liberty University are 1.5% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,728 vs. $12,916).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Shepherd University than at West Liberty University (about $1,640 more per year; $19,082 vs. $17,442).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at West Liberty University (96% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 13.7% larger than aid received by West Liberty University students ($8,241 vs. $7,248).

Admissions details

• Incoming Shepherd University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at West Liberty University (21).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Shepherd University and West Liberty University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at West Liberty University (3.53).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at Shepherd University vs. 31.5% at West Liberty University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,394 lower median loan debt than West Liberty University graduates ($22,223 vs. $24,617).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Liberty University graduates ($229 vs. $254).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Liberty University students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 49%).

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