Shepherd University vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shepherd University 17:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Shepherd University vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shepherd University or WVU? 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 WVU ($11,744 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 11.4% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,916 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $1,048 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at WVU than at Shepherd University (about $9,526 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at West Virginia University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 50% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($12,363 vs. $8,241).

Shepherd University vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shepherd University or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Shepherd University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 110 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming WVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Shepherd University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Shepherd University 878/1140; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Shepherd University 19/24; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shepherd University - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WVU (3.45).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at Shepherd University vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Shepherd University vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shepherd University and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $1,778 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($22,223 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($229 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.