McDaniel College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, 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 McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

McDaniel College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($11,744 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 0.4% lower than at McDaniel College ($12,916 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 475.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $43,025 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.9% higher at McDaniel College than at Shepherd University (about $32,999 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Shepherd University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 394.1% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($40,721 vs. $8,241).

McDaniel College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• 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: McDaniel College - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Shepherd University (3.6).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

McDaniel College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 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 McDaniel College graduates ($22,223 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.