Fayetteville State University vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Fayetteville State University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (7,107 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Fayetteville State University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University than Shepherd University ($7,811 vs. $11,744).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 11.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($11,449 vs. $12,916).
• Shepherd University is 108% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $4,703 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $4,353.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.4% higher at Shepherd University than at Fayetteville State University (about $10,729 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $8,353.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Fayetteville State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fayetteville State University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($8,777 vs. $8,241).

Fayetteville State University vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shepherd University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (990).
• Incoming Shepherd University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 890/1090; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 15/19; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fayetteville State University - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Fayetteville State University (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Fayetteville State University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have a $62 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($22,161 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Shepherd University and Fayetteville State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($229 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 28%)

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.