Pfeiffer University vs. Shepherd University

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

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Location Misenheimer, NC Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Distant Rural Town Fringe
Enrollment 1,076 3,235
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #866
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $15,774
Room & Board $12,520 $10,987
Avg Net Price $21,575 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 1,690
Admitted 897 1,620
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 95.9%
Enrolled % 18.4% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/24
SAT Range 891/1165 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 45% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $231 $229

Diversity

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 82%
% Black 21% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
% In-State 72% 64%
% Out-of-State 24% 35%

Campus

Pfeiffer University Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shepherd University is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or Shepherd University?

  • Pfeiffer University is 408% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102.5% higher at Pfeiffer University than Shepherd University ($31,940.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Pfeiffer University ($9,827 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 14% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($10,987 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 240.1% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($24,926 vs. $7,328)

Pfeiffer University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 64 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University 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 Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Pfeiffer University (46% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $400 more per year than Pfeiffer University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $41,100)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $176 lower median federal student loan debt than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $22,399)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($229 vs. $231)
  • More Pfeiffer University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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