SU vs. Shepherd University

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

SU Shepherd University
Location Winchester, VA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 4,260 3,235
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #537 #866
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website su.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SU Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $33,790 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $33,790 $15,774
Room & Board $11,230 $10,987
Avg Net Price $26,143 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $23,467 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

SU Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,296 1,690
Admitted 1,845 1,620
Acceptance Rate 80.4% 95.9%
Enrolled % 25.7% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/24
SAT Range 1010/1230 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

SU Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

SU Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 45% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $258 $229

Diversity

SU Shepherd University
% Men 32% 37%
% Women 68% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 82%
% Black 11% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 1%

Students

SU Shepherd University
% In-State 52% 64%
% Out-of-State 48% 35%

Campus

SU 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

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 3,235 students)

SU vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or Shepherd University?

  • Shenandoah University is 437.4% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 114.2% higher at SU than Shepherd University ($33,790.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than SU ($9,827 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 2.2% lower than costs at Shenandoah University ($10,987 vs. $11,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 220.2% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($23,467 vs. $7,328)

SU vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 10 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming SU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Shepherd University (3.6)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than SU (80.4%)

SU vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SU 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 SU.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Shenandoah University (46% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $6,800 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $41,500)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $2,777 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($22,223 vs. $25,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than SU graduates. ($229 vs. $258)
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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