Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,744 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 22.2% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($12,916 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 483.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $43,824 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177.1% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Shepherd University (about $33,798 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 278.5% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($31,191 vs. $8,241).

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Music 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 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 Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($22,223 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.