Livingstone College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Livingstone College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone 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 Livingstone College ($11,744 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 47.4% lower than at Shepherd University ($6,794 vs. $12,916).
• Livingstone College is 102% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $9,240 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Shepherd University than at Livingstone College (about $786 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Shepherd University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 87.9% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($15,485 vs. $8,241).

Livingstone College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shepherd University (1010) is 130 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Shepherd University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Livingstone College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $19,777 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($22,223 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $205 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($229 vs. $434).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 13%)

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.