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 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
- #4 Best Business 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.
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
- $83,400
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. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 17%
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Humanities 11%
- Education 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Psychology 4%
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