Western State Colorado University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado 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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Western State Colorado University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Western State Colorado University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
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Overview

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
Location Gunnison, CO Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 3,548 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $15,774
Room & Board $10,286 $10,987
Avg Net Price $16,672 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 93%

Admission

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 1,690
Admitted 2,862 1,620
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 95.9%
Enrolled % 15.3% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 19/24
SAT Range 1010/1270 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

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 39% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $222 $229

Diversity

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
% Men 49% 37%
% Women 51% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 82%
% Black 3% 10%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Western State Colorado University Shepherd University
% In-State 72% 64%
% Out-of-State 27% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western State Colorado University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (3,548 students vs. 3,235 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or Shepherd University?

  • Western State Colorado University is 10.3% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.2% higher at Western State Colorado University than Shepherd University ($18,960.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Western State Colorado University ($9,827 vs. $16,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 6.8% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($10,286 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Western State Colorado University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 25.4% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($9,189 vs. $7,328)

Western State Colorado University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 31 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Western State Colorado University (91.8%)

Western State Colorado University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado 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 Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Western State Colorado University (46% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $700 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $723 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,223)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($222 vs. $229)
  • More Western State Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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