Hood vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hood College in Frederick, MD with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Hood based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 2,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Hood vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood 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 Shepherd University than Hood ($11,744 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 20.3% lower than at Hood College ($12,916 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 426.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $38,644 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150% higher at Hood than at Shepherd University (about $28,618 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 360.6% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($37,957 vs. $8,241).

Hood vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hood 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 Hood.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Hood (3.41).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Hood vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood 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).

• Hood College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $4,777 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($22,223 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

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.