WestConn vs. Shepherd University

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

WestConn Shepherd University
Location Danbury, CT Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 4,137 3,318
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #506 #884
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $6,664 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $9,996 $15,774
Room & Board $15,131 $11,308
Avg Net Price $16,527 $12,651
Avg Grant Aid $7,943 $8,183
% Receiving Grant Aid 63% 95%

Admission

WestConn Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,457 1,793
Admitted 4,440 1,715
Acceptance Rate 81.4% 95.6%
Enrolled % 16% 33%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 20/24
SAT Range 840/1150 900/1140
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

Academics

WestConn Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

WestConn Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 40% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $258 $229

Diversity

WestConn Shepherd University
% Men 4% 3%
% Women 10% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 82%
% Black 12% 10%
% Hispanic 18% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

WestConn Shepherd University
% In-State 71% 72%
% Out-of-State 29% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Connecticut State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,137 students vs. 3,318 students)

WestConn vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Shepherd University?

  • Western Connecticut State University is 6% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($6,664.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.8% higher at Shepherd University than Western Connecticut State University ($15,774.00 vs. $9,996.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than WestConn ($12,651 vs. $16,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 33.8% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($11,308 vs. $15,131)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Western Connecticut State University (95% vs. 63%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 3% larger than aid received Western Connecticut State University ($8,183 vs. $7,943)

WestConn vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WestConn (3.38)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than WestConn (81.4%)

WestConn vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn 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 WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Western Connecticut State University (46% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $5,900 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $41,500)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $2,777 lower median federal student loan debt than WestConn graduates. ($22,223 vs. $25,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than WestConn graduates. ($229 vs. $258)
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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