Westfield State University vs. Shepherd University

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

Westfield State University Shepherd University
Location Westfield, MA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 4,555 3,318
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #594 #884
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ma.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Westfield State University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $970 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $15,774
Room & Board $13,510 $11,308
Avg Net Price $17,723 $12,651
Avg Grant Aid $8,406 $8,183
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 95%

Admission

Westfield State University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,273 1,793
Admitted 5,065 1,715
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 95.6%
Enrolled % 14.1% 33%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22 20/24
SAT Range 980/1190 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 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

Westfield State University Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Westfield State University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 58% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,750 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $235 $229

Diversity

Westfield State University Shepherd University
% Men 5% 3%
% Women 12% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 82%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Westfield State University Shepherd University
% In-State 87% 72%
% Out-of-State 12% 27%

Campus

Westfield State 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

  • Westfield State University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,555 students vs. 3,318 students)

Westfield State University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westfield State University or Shepherd University?

  • Shepherd University is 548.2% more expensive to attend than Westfield State University for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 123.7% higher at Shepherd University than Westfield State University ($15,774.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Westfield State University ($12,651 vs. $17,723)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 19.5% lower than costs at Westfield State University ($11,308 vs. $13,510)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shepherd University than Westfield State University (95% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westfield State University students is 2.7% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($8,406 vs. $8,183)

Westfield State University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Westfield State University (1001) is 6 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming Westfield State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Westfield State University (3.3)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Westfield State University (80.7%)

Westfield State University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Westfield State 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 Westfield State University.

  • The graduation rate at Westfield State University is higher than Shepherd University (58% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Westfield State University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($46,800 vs. $41,500)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $527 lower median federal student loan debt than Westfield State University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $22,750)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Westfield State University graduates. ($229 vs. $235)
  • More Westfield State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

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