Georgia Southwestern vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Georgia Southwestern State University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Georgia Southwestern 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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Georgia Southwestern State University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Georgia Southwestern State University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Georgia Southwestern State University Shepherd University
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Overview

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
Location Americus, GA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Distant Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 3,070 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #908 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gsw.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $15,774
Room & Board $8,978 $10,987
Avg Net Price $12,186 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $9,472 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,939 1,690
Admitted 1,419 1,620
Acceptance Rate 73.2% 95.9%
Enrolled % 34.2% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 1010/1160 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 21, 2025

Academics

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 30% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $227 $229

Diversity

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
% Men 33% 37%
% Women 67% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 82%
% Black 29% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Georgia Southwestern Shepherd University
% In-State 95% 64%
% Out-of-State 4% 35%

Campus

Georgia Southwestern 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

  • Shepherd University is larger than than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 3,070 students)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or Shepherd University?

  • Shepherd University is 54.7% more expensive to attend than Georgia Southwestern for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.7% higher at Shepherd University than Georgia Southwestern State University ($15,774.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Georgia Southwestern ($9,827 vs. $12,186)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 22.4% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($8,978 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students is 29.3% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($9,472 vs. $7,328)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 28 points higher than at Georgia Southwestern (967)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Georgia Southwestern (21)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Georgia Southwestern (73.2%)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University (46% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $38,100)
  • Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate with a $223 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $22,223)
  • Georgia Southwestern graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($227 vs. $229)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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