Keystone College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Keystone College in La Plume, PA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Keystone College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keystone College 12:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Keystone College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone College 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 Keystone College ($11,744 vs. $21,952).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 2.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,600 vs. $12,916).
• Keystone College is 102.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $9,244 more per year; $18,300.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Shepherd University than at Keystone College (about $782 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Keystone College (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Keystone College students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($10,119 vs. $8,241).

Keystone College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Keystone College 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 Keystone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Keystone College (1020) is 10 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keystone College 910/1130; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Keystone College - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Keystone College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Keystone College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone College 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $3,777 lower median loan debt than Keystone College graduates ($22,223 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Keystone College graduates ($229 vs. $268).
• More Keystone College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.