Cleveland State vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cleveland State vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State 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 State ($11,744 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 14.5% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,916 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $3,932 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Shepherd University than at Cleveland State University (about $572 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Cleveland State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($9,795 vs. $8,241).

Cleveland State vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State 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 State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is the same as at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State 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: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Cleveland State vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $723 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($222 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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.