WCU vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU 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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West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs. Shepherd University comparison
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Shepherd University College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Shepherd University
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Overview

WCU Shepherd University
Location West Chester, PA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 17,275 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $15,774
Room & Board $14,228 $10,987
Avg Net Price $22,973 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 93%

Admission

WCU Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 1,690
Admitted 12,982 1,620
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 95.9%
Enrolled % 23.2% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 19/24
SAT Range 1080/1260 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

WCU Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

WCU Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 68% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $242 $229

Diversity

WCU Shepherd University
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 82%
% Black 11% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

WCU Shepherd University
% In-State 87% 64%
% Out-of-State 12% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 3,235 students)

WCU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Shepherd University?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 22.7% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.3% higher at WCU than Shepherd University ($19,290.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than WCU ($9,827 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 29.5% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($10,987 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (93% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 34.6% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($7,328 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 77 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than WCU (87.8%)

WCU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU 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 WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Shepherd University (68% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $7,500 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $41,500)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $1,277 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($22,223 vs. $23,500)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($229 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 53%)

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