BC vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, 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 BC based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater College 13:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

BC vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC 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 Bridgewater College than Shepherd University ($11,316 vs. $11,744).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 13% lower than at Bridgewater College ($12,916 vs. $14,850).
• Bridgewater College is 77.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $7,034 more per year; $16,090.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Shepherd University than at Bridgewater College (about $2,992 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 473.8% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($47,288 vs. $8,241).

BC vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC 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 BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater College (1190) is 180 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater College 1020/1360; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Shepherd University (3.6).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than BC (91.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at BC vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

BC vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC 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).

• Bridgewater College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $4,777 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($22,223 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.