Virginia Union University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Virginia Union University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Virginia Union University or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Virginia Union University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Virginia Union University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Virginia Union University Shepherd University
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Overview

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Location Richmond, VA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Midsize City Town Fringe
Enrollment 1,860 3,235
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1021 #866
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vuu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $10,530 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $10,530 $15,774
Room & Board $9,286 $10,987
Avg Net Price $21,057 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $8,597 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 69% 93%

Admission

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,386 1,690
Admitted 3,533 1,620
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 95.9%
Enrolled % 11.2% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 2.71 3.6
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 813/990 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (35%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 29% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,300 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 19% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $33,750 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $348 $229

Diversity

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
% Men 50% 37%
% Women 50% 63%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 82%
% Black 94% 10%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
% In-State 60% 64%
% Out-of-State 39% 35%

Campus

Virginia Union University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shepherd University is larger than than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 1,860 students)

Virginia Union University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Virginia Union University or Shepherd University?

  • Virginia Union University is 67.5% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($10,530.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.8% higher at Shepherd University than Virginia Union University ($15,774.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Virginia Union University ($9,827 vs. $21,057)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 18.3% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($9,286 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Virginia Union University (93% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 17.3% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($8,597 vs. $7,328)

Virginia Union University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Virginia Union University or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Virginia Union University .

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 223 points higher than at Virginia Union University (772)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Virginia Union University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.89 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Virginia Union University (80.6%)

Virginia Union University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Virginia Union University or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Virginia Union University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Virginia Union University (46% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $8,200 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $33,300)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $11,527 lower median federal student loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $33,750)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $119 less per month on federal student loans than Virginia Union University graduates. ($229 vs. $348)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 19%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/