Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Slippery Rock, PA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (8,376 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is located in Slippery Rock, PA (Distant Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Shepherd 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($11,744 vs. $18,252).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are 15.6% lower than at Shepherd University ($10,902 vs. $12,916).
• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $1,512 more per year; $10,568.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at Shepherd University than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $4,406 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $14,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students ($8,241 vs. $6,862).

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (1090) is 80 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Shepherd University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 980/1190; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 18/26; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (3.5).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and Shepherd University? 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.

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $500 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,777 lower median loan debt than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates ($22,223 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates ($229 vs. $258).
• More Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.