Austin Peay State University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Austin Peay State University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Austin Peay State University or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Austin Peay State University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Austin Peay State University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
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Overview

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Location Clarksville, TN Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Midsize City Town Fringe
Enrollment 9,326 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $12,360 $15,774
Room & Board $12,274 $10,987
Avg Net Price $16,140 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $10,232 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 93%

Admission

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,362 1,690
Admitted 5,969 1,620
Acceptance Rate 93.8% 95.9%
Enrolled % 24.5% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/24
SAT Range 983/1170 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 34% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $232 $229

Diversity

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 20% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
% In-State 88% 64%
% Out-of-State 11% 35%

Campus

Austin Peay State University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,326 students vs. 3,235 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin Peay State University or Shepherd University?

  • Austin Peay State University is 8.4% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.6% higher at Shepherd University than Austin Peay State University ($15,774.00 vs. $12,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Austin Peay State University ($9,827 vs. $16,140)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 11.7% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,987 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Shepherd University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 39.6% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($10,232 vs. $7,328)

Austin Peay State University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin Peay State University or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Austin Peay State University .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 16 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Austin Peay State University (93.8%)

Austin Peay State University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Austin Peay State University or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Austin Peay State University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Austin Peay State University (46% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $4,100 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $277 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $22,500)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($229 vs. $232)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/