RIC vs. Shepherd University

Deciding between Rhode Island College and Shepherd University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rhode Island College
Shepherd University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
  • Setting
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Shepherd University Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • RIC 6,155
  • Shepherd University 3,339
  • Type
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • Shepherd University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • RIC #843
  • Shepherd University #891
  • Religious Affiliation
  • RIC -
  • Shepherd University -
  • Status
  • RIC Non-profit
  • Shepherd University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • RIC
  • Shepherd University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • RIC $11,300
  • Shepherd University $9,056
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • RIC $27,299
  • Shepherd University $19,082
  • Room & Board
  • RIC $13,414
  • Shepherd University $12,916
  • Average Net Price
  • RIC $10,346
  • Shepherd University $11,744
  • Average Grant Aid
  • RIC $6,706
  • Shepherd University $8,241
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • RIC 95%
  • Shepherd University 96%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • RIC 5,415
  • Shepherd University 1,646
  • Admitted
  • RIC 4,972
  • Shepherd University 1,593
  • Acceptance Rate
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Shepherd University 96.8%
  • Enrolled
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Shepherd University 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RIC 1000
  • Shepherd University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • RIC
  • Shepherd University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • RIC 3.08
  • Shepherd University 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • RIC B
  • Shepherd University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Shepherd University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • RIC
  • Shepherd University
  • ACT Range
  • RIC
  • Shepherd University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • RIC 870/1120
  • Shepherd University 878/1140
  • Submit Test Scores
  • RIC Test optional
  • Shepherd University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027
  • Shepherd University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • RIC 15:1
  • Shepherd University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Shepherd University
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • RIC 44%
  • Shepherd University 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • RIC $42,000
  • Shepherd University $41,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • RIC 59%
  • Shepherd University 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • RIC $21,200
  • Shepherd University $22,223
  • Median Loan Payment
  • RIC $219
  • Shepherd University $229

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • RIC 30%
  • Shepherd University 38%
  • % Women
  • RIC 70%
  • Shepherd University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • RIC Medium
  • Shepherd University Low
  • HBCU
  • RIC No
  • Shepherd University No
  • % White
  • RIC 62%
  • Shepherd University 82%
  • % Asian
  • RIC 3%
  • Shepherd University 2%
  • % Black
  • RIC 8%
  • Shepherd University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • RIC 16%
  • Shepherd University 3%
  • % Native American
  • RIC 0%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • RIC 0%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • RIC 2%
  • Shepherd University 2%
  • % International
  • RIC 0%
  • Shepherd University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • RIC 8%
  • Shepherd University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • RIC 87%
  • Shepherd University 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • RIC 13%
  • Shepherd University 29%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • RIC Yes
  • Shepherd University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • RIC No
  • Shepherd University No
  • Meal Plan
  • RIC Yes
  • Shepherd University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • RIC Yes
  • Shepherd University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • RIC Yes
  • Shepherd University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
  • Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

RIC vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC 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 Rhode Island College than Shepherd University ($10,346 vs. $11,744).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 3.7% lower than at Rhode Island College ($12,916 vs. $13,414).
  • Rhode Island College is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $2,244 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $9,056.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.1% higher at RIC than at Shepherd University (about $8,217 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $19,082.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Rhode Island College (96% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($8,241 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC 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 RIC.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shepherd University (1010) is 10 points higher than at RIC (1000).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120; Shepherd University 878/1140.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIC - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at RIC (3.08).
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than RIC (91.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

RIC vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIC 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 Rhode Island College's (44%).
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $1,023 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($21,200 vs. $22,223).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($219 vs. $229).
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.