Shepherd University
#1 Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,358 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,363 B
- 34% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $25.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,090,632.
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 21% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Shepherd University Matters
Shepherd University is a public university in Shepherdstown, WV 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,344
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Shepherd 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
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 878–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,363 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,358 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $21,600 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 (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Shepherd University is an accessible choice for many students looking for a supportive environment to pursue their education. This school is particularly well-suited for those interested in health professions, business and marketing, humanities, education, or the visual and performing arts. The relatively small enrollment of about 2,344 students fosters a close-knit community where personalized attention is commonplace, allowing students to engage deeply with their studies and peers.
Graduates from Shepherd University can expect to earn around $49,358 within ten years of completing their degrees. This is a solid outcome in today's job market, particularly for those entering fields like health and education. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $11,363 after aid, many students find it manageable to finance their education without overwhelming debt.
Speaking of debt, the median student loan debt sits at $21,600. While this is a significant amount, it’s crucial to remember that many students thrive here, especially those who take advantage of the programs available and are motivated to succeed. The 29% Pell Grant rate indicates that a portion of the student body comes from low-income backgrounds, highlighting the university's role in serving diverse communities. Shepherd University can be a practical choice for students looking for a solid education without the financial strain often associated with college.
Rankings
- #1 Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #1 Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
- #3 Best Colleges in West Virginia
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #3 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #3 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Shepherd 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 Shepherd University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Shepherd University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1034
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 878–1140
- ACT Range
- 19–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,788
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 1,690
- Admitted
- 1,620
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 Shepherd University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shepherd University is $19,082, 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 $11,363. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,906 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,600 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,056
- Out-of-State
- $19,082
- Avg Net Price
- $11,363
- Median Debt
- $21,600
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,906
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,753
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,107
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,866
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Shepherd University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Shepherd University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shepherd University earn a median of $49,358, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,726
- 8 Years
- $47,170
- 10 Years
- $49,358
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (204)
- 32%
- 100% (204)
- 32%
- 100% (204)
- 32%
- 100% (204)
- 32%
How Shepherd 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 Shepherd University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Shepherd University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,363/year ($45,452 total). Graduates earn $49,358 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,136,084 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,090,632 (25.0× your investment). The median debt is $21,600, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $45,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,136,084
- Net Return
- $1,090,632
- ROI Multiple
- 25.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,363
- Median Debt
- $21,600
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
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 Shepherd University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shepherd 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 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,311
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,448,504
- Investment Income
- $15,779
Top Programs
The fields Shepherd University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 18% $72,503 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $53,389 early-career
- Humanities 10% $27,098 early-career
- Education 9% $45,947 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $36,985 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $45,495 early-career
- Psychology 5% $29,824 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $42,081 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Shepherd 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shepherd University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Shepherd University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shepherd University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shepherd University is $19,082, 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 $11,363. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,906 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,600 in federal student loans.
Is Shepherd University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shepherd University earn a median of $49,358, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Shepherd University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shepherd 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 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Shepherd 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 Shepherd University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Shepherd University.
- University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI · Close peer48% grad $52,075 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Fairmont State UniversityFairmont, WV · Close peer46% grad $46,857 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperior, WI · Close peer43% grad $49,606 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS · Close peer55% grad $47,601 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC · Close peer43% grad $43,888 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Shepherd 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 Shepherd University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note