TU vs. Shepherd University

Towson University and Shepherd University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Towson University
Shepherd University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: TU (82% admitted vs 96.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Shepherd University. Average net price is $11,744 vs $16,653 at TU.
  • Graduation: TU 64% vs Shepherd University 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: TU $53,500 vs Shepherd University $41,500 (median).
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Acceptance rate
TU more selective
TU82%
Shepherd University96.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
TU higher
TU950-1235
Shepherd University878-1140
Average net price
Shepherd University $4,909 less
TU$16,653
Shepherd University$11,744
In-state tuition
Shepherd University $2,672 less
TU$11,728
Shepherd University$9,056
Out-of-state tuition
Shepherd University $10,738 less
TU$29,820
Shepherd University$19,082
Graduation rate
TU +18 pts
TU64%
Shepherd University46%
Median earnings (10 years)
TU +$12,000
TU$53,500
Shepherd University$41,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • TU 19,777
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • TU 16,212
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance rate
  • TU 82%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • TU 18.2%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • TU 1090
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • TU 23
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • TU 3.69
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • TU A-
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • TU Moderate
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • TU
  • Shepherd University
  • SAT range
  • TU 950-1235
  • Shepherd University 878-1140
  • ACT range
  • TU 19-27
  • Shepherd University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • TU Test optional
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • TU Apr 1, 2027
  • Shepherd University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • TU $11,728
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • TU $29,820
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & board
  • TU $16,260
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average net price
  • TU $16,653
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average grant aid
  • TU $11,820
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % receiving grant aid
  • TU 73%
  • Shepherd University 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • TU 64%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • TU $53,500
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • TU 69%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • TU $17,750
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median loan payment
  • TU $183
  • Shepherd University $229
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • TU 14:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • TU
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • TU Towson, MD
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • TU Small City
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • TU 19,401
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • TU Public 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • TU #396
  • Shepherd University #891

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 20.6% lower than at Towson University ($12,916 vs. $16,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at TU than at Shepherd University (about $10,738 more per year; $29,820 vs. $19,082).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Towson University (96% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($11,820 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at TU than at Shepherd University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both TU and Shepherd University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at TU average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Shepherd University (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $4,473 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,223).
  • Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($183 vs. $229).
  • More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 53%).

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

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