Ashland College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ashland University in Ashland, OH with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ashland University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,106 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ashland University is located in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ashland University 14:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Ashland College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ashland College or Shepherd University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Ashland College ($11,744 vs. $22,610).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 4.8% lower than at Ashland University ($12,916 vs. $13,568).
• Ashland University is 244.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $22,154 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.6% higher at Ashland College than at Shepherd University (about $12,128 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 152.8% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($20,835 vs. $8,241).

Ashland College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ashland College or Shepherd University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shepherd University and Ashland College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ashland University (1120) is 110 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Ashland College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Shepherd University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 1035/1208; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 20/25; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ashland College - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Ashland College (3.54).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Ashland College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Ashland College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ashland College and Shepherd University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Ashland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $4,027 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($22,223 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($229 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.