WestConn vs. Shepherd University

Western Connecticut State University and Shepherd University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Connecticut State University
Shepherd University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WestConn (87% admitted vs 96.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Shepherd University. Average net price is $11,744 vs $17,185 at WestConn.
  • Graduation: WestConn 40% vs Shepherd University 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WestConn $47,400 vs Shepherd University $41,500 (median).
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Key differences

Western Connecticut State University Shepherd University
Acceptance rate
WestConn more selective
WestConn87%
Shepherd University96.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WestConn higher
WestConn1040-1170
Shepherd University878-1140
Average net price
Shepherd University $5,441 less
WestConn$17,185
Shepherd University$11,744
In-state tuition
Shepherd University $4,345 less
WestConn$13,401
Shepherd University$9,056
Out-of-state tuition
WestConn $2,181 less
WestConn$16,901
Shepherd University$19,082
Graduation rate
Shepherd University +6 pts
WestConn40%
Shepherd University46%
Median earnings (10 years)
WestConn +$5,900
WestConn$47,400
Shepherd University$41,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WestConn 5,910
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • WestConn 5,142
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance rate
  • WestConn 87%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WestConn 16.7%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WestConn 1110
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • WestConn
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WestConn 3.38
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • WestConn B+
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WestConn Very Easy
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WestConn
  • Shepherd University
  • SAT range
  • WestConn 1040-1170
  • Shepherd University 878-1140
  • ACT range
  • WestConn
  • Shepherd University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • WestConn Test optional
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WestConn
  • Shepherd University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WestConn $13,401
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WestConn $16,901
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & board
  • WestConn $15,659
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average net price
  • WestConn $17,185
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average grant aid
  • WestConn $12,870
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WestConn 86%
  • Shepherd University 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • WestConn 40%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WestConn $47,400
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • WestConn 65%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WestConn $25,000
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median loan payment
  • WestConn $258
  • Shepherd University $229
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WestConn 11:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • WestConn
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • WestConn Danbury, CT
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • WestConn Small City
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • WestConn 4,169
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • WestConn Public 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WestConn #660
  • Shepherd University #891

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 17.5% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,916 vs. $15,659).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Shepherd University than at Western Connecticut State University (about $2,181 more per year; $19,082 vs. $16,901).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Western Connecticut State University (96% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($12,870 vs. $8,241).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WestConn and Shepherd University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Shepherd University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at WestConn (3.38).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,777 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($22,223 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($229 vs. $258).
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation (65% 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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