Shepherd University
- 4/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Shepherdstown, WV
-
0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
3,339- Location Shepherdstown, West Virginia
- Website shepherd.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Town Fringe
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Shepherd University, located in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia, sits along the Potomac River approximately 90 minutes from both Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The public liberal arts institution occupies a 323-acre campus characterized by a mix of preserved Colonial-era structures and modern academic facilities, with many buildings constructed from local limestone. Originally established in 1871 as Shepherd College, the institution achieved university status in 2004 and maintains selective admission standards for its undergraduate programs. The university is known for its programs in education, nursing, business administration, and contemporary arts, while also housing the Contemporary American Theater Festival each summer. Residence halls accommodate approximately one-third of the student population, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Rams.
Ratings
Shepherd University is rated within the lower 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.
-
Overall Rating4 out of 10
-
Academics3 out of 10
-
Resources4 out of 10
-
Outcomes5 out of 10
-
Value3 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Shepherd University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 878/1140
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 19/24
- GPA 3.6
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 31.7%
- Application Fee $45
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
West Virginia Resident Tuition
$9,056Out of State Resident Tuition
$19,082Breakdown
- Tuition $9,056
- Books and Supplies $1,000
- Other Fees $2,354
- Room and Board $12,916
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,463
- Total One Year Cost $27,789
- Tuition $19,082
- Books and Supplies $1,000
- Other Fees $2,354
- Room and Board $12,916
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,463
- Total One Year Cost $37,815
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Shepherd University are Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Education. 18% of students major in Business, 15% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 13% in Education.
-
Business 18%
-
Liberal Arts and Humanities 15%
-
Education 13%
-
Visual and Performing Arts 7%
-
Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 7%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Shepherd University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237792.
GPA calculator: Shepherd University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026