AU vs. Shepherd University

Deciding between Averett University and Shepherd University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Averett University
Shepherd University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Danville, VA
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 1,476
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #637
  • Shepherd University #891
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU -
  • Shepherd University -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Shepherd University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Shepherd University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $38,550
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $38,550
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & Board
  • AU $14,530
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $23,471
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $29,998
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 99%
  • Shepherd University 96%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 2,573
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • AU 1,456
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 56.6%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 18.1%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1030
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 21
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.07
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU B
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Moderate
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Shepherd University
  • ACT Range
  • AU 15/28
  • Shepherd University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • AU 926/1143
  • Shepherd University 878/1140
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AU
  • Shepherd University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 16:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 41%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $48,400
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 51%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $25,000
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $258
  • Shepherd University $229

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 45%
  • Shepherd University 38%
  • % Women
  • AU 55%
  • Shepherd University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU Medium
  • Shepherd University Low
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Shepherd University No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Shepherd University 82%
  • % Asian
  • AU 1%
  • Shepherd University 2%
  • % Black
  • AU 33%
  • Shepherd University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 4%
  • Shepherd University 3%
  • % Native American
  • AU 1%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 0%
  • Shepherd University 2%
  • % International
  • AU 4%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 0%
  • Shepherd University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 54%
  • Shepherd University 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 39%
  • Shepherd University 29%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AU Yes
  • Shepherd University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AU No
  • Shepherd University No
  • Meal Plan
  • AU Yes
  • Shepherd University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AU No
  • Shepherd University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • AU No
  • Shepherd University No

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 1,476 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Averett University is located in Danville, VA (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Averett University 16:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

AU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU 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 AU ($11,744 vs. $23,471).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 11.1% lower than at Averett University ($12,916 vs. $14,530).
  • Averett University is 325.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $29,494 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $9,056.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at AU than at Shepherd University (about $19,468 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $19,082.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Averett University than at Shepherd University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 264% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($29,998 vs. $8,241).

AU vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU 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 AU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Averett University (1030) is 20 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Shepherd University (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 926/1143; Shepherd University 878/1140.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 15/28; Shepherd University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at AU (3.07).
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than AU (56.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at AU vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

AU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU 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).

  • Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Averett University's (41%).
  • Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,777 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($22,223 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($229 vs. $258).
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.