York vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY York College in Jamaica, NY with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY York College is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (6,174 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY York College is located in Jamaica, NY (Large City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• CUNY York College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY York College 13:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

York vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, York 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 CUNY York College than Shepherd University ($5,131 vs. $11,744).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 42% lower than at CUNY York College ($12,916 vs. $22,260).
• Shepherd University is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than York (about $1,698 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $7,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at Shepherd University than at CUNY York College (about $3,774 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $15,308.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at CUNY York College (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by CUNY York College students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($9,154 vs. $8,241).

York vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, York 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 York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shepherd University (1010) is 130 points higher than at York (880).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY York College 790/960; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: York - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at York (3.15).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than York (64.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at York vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

York vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for York 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 CUNY York College's (20%).
• Graduates from CUNY York College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY York College graduates have a $13,423 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($8,800 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, York graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($90 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former York 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.