# Shepherd University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shepherd-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Shepherdstown, WV
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Rural
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 2,344
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

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.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 97% |
| SAT Average | 1034 |
| ACT Midpoint | 23 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $9,056 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,082 |
| Average Net Price | $11,363 |
| Median Debt | $21,600 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 29% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 39% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $7,906 |
| $30K-$48K | $7,753 |
| $48K-$75K | $10,107 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $15,866 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 50% |
| Retention Rate | 71% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $43,726 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $47,170 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $49,358 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 110.38% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 1510.0% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 731.0% |
| Parent Median Income | $83,400 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.57 |
| Friending Bias | -0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 8.7% |
| Support Ratio | 0.99 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Health Professions | 17% |
| Business & Marketing | 16% |
| Humanities | 11% |
| Education | 7% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 5% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 5% |
| Social Sciences | 5% |
| Psychology | 4% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 16 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-west-virginia)
- #1 in [Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-west-virginia)
- #2 in [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-west-virginia)
- #3 in [Best Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-west-virginia)
- #3 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-west-virginia)
- #3 in [Best Master's Programs in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-west-virginia)
- #3 in [Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-west-virginia)
- #4 in [Best Business Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-west-virginia)
- #4 in [Best Education Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-west-virginia)
- #4 in [Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-west-virginia)
- #5 in [Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-west-virginia)
- #13 in [Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-west-virginia)
- #31 in [Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-acceptance-rate)
- #48 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-arts)
- #48 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-graphic-design)
- #49 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Criminal Justice](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-criminal-justice)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Shepherd University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shepherd-university