Shenandoah University
- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,433 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $30,298 F
- 77% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,365,422.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Shenandoah University Matters
Shenandoah University is a private doctoral / professional university in Winchester, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,116
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Shenandoah University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,298 a year after grants and scholarships — 77% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,433 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 70% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Shenandoah University, students who are passionate about fields like Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, and Biology & Biomedical studies find a welcoming environment. With an acceptance rate of 77%, this private nonprofit institution makes it possible for a diverse range of students to pursue their education here. The focus on practical skills and personalized learning helps students prepare for the real world, enhancing their educational experience.
After graduation, the average earnings for Shenandoah alumni reach $58,433 after ten years. This figure underscores the potential return on investment for students, especially when considering the variety of programs that align with in-demand careers. Affordability is also key; while the net price is $30,298, many students find that their degrees can lead to upward mobility in their careers. Despite the challenges that some graduates face, the outcomes suggest that a degree from Shenandoah can open doors.
Looking at the financial aspects, students typically graduate with a median debt of $25,000. This manageable debt level often allows graduates to enter the workforce without being overwhelmed financially. Students who thrive here tend to be those who appreciate a close-knit community and are eager to engage with their studies, setting a solid foundation for their future careers.
Rankings
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Virginia
- #13 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- #14 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia
- #15 Best MBA Programs in Virginia
- #17 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia
- #21 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #21 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
- #21 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Shenandoah University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shenandoah University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winchester, Virginia, Shenandoah University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,154
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 2,296
- Admitted
- 1,845
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shenandoah University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shenandoah University is $36,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,298. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,356 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $36,950
- Out-of-State
- $36,950
- Avg Net Price
- $30,298
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,356
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $26,715
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $26,635
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,591
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Shenandoah University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shenandoah University earn a median of $58,433, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,167
- 8 Years
- $52,579
- 10 Years
- $58,433
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (190)
- 46%
- 100% (190)
- 46%
- 100% (190)
- 46%
- 100% (190)
- 46%
How Shenandoah Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Shenandoah University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Shenandoah University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,298/year ($121,192 total). Graduates earn $58,433 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,486,614 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,365,422 (12.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $121,192
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,486,614
- Net Return
- $1,365,422
- ROI Multiple
- 12.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,298
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Shenandoah University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shenandoah University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $100,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,627,235
- Investment Income
- $-1,545,890
Top Programs
The fields Shenandoah University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Visual & Performing Arts 21%
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Biology & Biomedical 12%
- Education 6%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Psychology 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Shenandoah University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shenandoah University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winchester, Virginia, Shenandoah University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shenandoah University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shenandoah University is $36,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,298. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,356 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Shenandoah University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shenandoah University earn a median of $58,433, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Shenandoah University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shenandoah University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Shenandoah University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shenandoah University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Shenandoah University.
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PA · Close peer72% grad $61,295 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-WisconsinMequon, WI · Close peer66% grad $56,075 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Central CollegeNaperville, IL · Close peer68% grad $60,123 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NY · Close peer68% grad $57,214 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR · Close peer73% grad $62,205 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Shenandoah University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shenandoah University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note