Delaware State University vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Delaware State University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Delaware State University or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Delaware State University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Delaware State University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Delaware State University Shepherd University
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Overview

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Location Dover, DE Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 5,828 3,318
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #925 #884
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $8,544 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $18,480 $15,774
Room & Board $13,634 $11,308
Avg Net Price $15,555 $12,651
Avg Grant Aid $11,842 $8,183
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 95%

Admission

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,542 1,793
Admitted 4,651 1,715
Acceptance Rate 61.7% 95.6%
Enrolled % 30.2% 33%
Avg High School GPA 3.09 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26 20/24
SAT Range 860/1070 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 35% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,600 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,500 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $294 $229

Diversity

Delaware State University Shepherd University
% Men 5% 3%
% Women 11% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 11% 82%
% Black 75% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Delaware State University Shepherd University
% In-State 46% 72%
% Out-of-State 52% 27%

Campus

Delaware State University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Delaware State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (5,828 students vs. 3,318 students)

Delaware State University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware State University or Shepherd University?

  • Delaware State University is 35.9% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($8,544.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.2% higher at Delaware State University than Shepherd University ($18,480.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Delaware State University ($12,651 vs. $15,555)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 20.6% lower than costs at Delaware State University ($11,308 vs. $13,634)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Delaware State University (95% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Delaware State University students is 44.7% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($11,842 vs. $8,183)

Delaware State University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delaware State University or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Delaware State University .

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 103 points higher than at Delaware State University (892)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Delaware State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Delaware State University (3.09)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Delaware State University (61.7%)

Delaware State University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Delaware State University or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Delaware State University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Delaware State University (46% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Delaware State University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $36,600)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $6,277 lower median federal student loan debt than Delaware State University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $28,500)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Delaware State University graduates. ($229 vs. $294)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Delaware State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 32%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/