Fairmont State vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairmont State University is located in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairmont State University 14:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Fairmont State vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairmont 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 Fairmont State University than Shepherd University ($11,328 vs. $11,744).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 9.8% lower than at Shepherd University ($11,656 vs. $12,916).
• Shepherd University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $348 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Shepherd University than at Fairmont State University (about $158 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Fairmont State University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairmont State University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($8,552 vs. $8,241).

Fairmont State vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shepherd University (1010) is 70 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 810/1070; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 17/23; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairmont State - Required; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Shepherd University (96.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Fairmont State vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Fairmont State vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairmont 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 Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $223 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($227 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)

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.