WSSU vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Winston Salem State University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSSU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

North Carolina Central University NCAT Fayetteville State University UNCG Ferris State University ECSU Wake Forest West Virginia University Tech Frostburg State University Millersville University of Pennsylvania ECU Ship
Winston Salem State University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Winston Salem State University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Winston Salem State University Shepherd University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 WSSU Shepherd University
Location Winston-Salem, NC Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Midsize City Town Fringe
Enrollment 5,004 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #956 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wssu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WSSU Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $3,401 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $14,057 $15,774
Room & Board $11,220 $10,987
Avg Net Price $14,097 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $8,350 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 93%

Admission

 WSSU Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,628 1,690
Admitted 5,598 1,620
Acceptance Rate 73.4% 95.9%
Enrolled % 15.3% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.01 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/19 19/24
SAT Range 830/1050 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 Feb 15, 2024

Academics

 WSSU Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

 WSSU Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 41% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,700 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,663 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $265 $229

Diversity

 WSSU Shepherd University
% Men 24% 37%
% Women 76% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 16% 82%
% Black 72% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 WSSU Shepherd University
% In-State 82% 64%
% Out-of-State 16% 35%

Campus

 WSSU 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

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (5,004 students vs. 3,235 students)

WSSU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Shepherd University?

  • Shepherd University is 84.9% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.2% higher at Shepherd University than Winston Salem State University ($15,774.00 vs. $14,057.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than WSSU ($9,827 vs. $14,097)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 2.1% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($10,987 vs. $11,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Winston Salem State University (93% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 13.9% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($8,350 vs. $7,328)

WSSU vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 125 points higher than at WSSU (870)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at WSSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WSSU (3.01)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than WSSU (73.4%)

WSSU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSSU 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 WSSU.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Winston Salem State University (46% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $5,800 more per year than WSSU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $35,700)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $3,440 lower median federal student loan debt than WSSU graduates. ($22,223 vs. $25,663)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than WSSU graduates. ($229 vs. $265)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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