Shepherd University Admission Requirements
- 4/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Shepherdstown, WV
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Shepherd University Admission Overview
Shepherd University admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Shepherd University admitted 96.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and SAT 878-1140 / ACT 19-24. Shepherd University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Shepherd University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Shepherd University Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Shepherd University
Acceptance Rate
The Shepherd University acceptance rate is 96.8%. Last year, 1,593 of 1,646 applicants were admitted. That is the 13th lowest acceptance rate in West Virginia.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Shepherd University and can you get accepted?
Shepherd University is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Shepherd University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Shepherd University GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.6Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Shepherd University typically have around a 3.6 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Shepherd University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
28% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #2 in West Virginia for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Shepherd University SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
878-1140Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
54%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 468
- Math 410
- Composite 878
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 540
- Composite 1140
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Shepherd University typically score around a 1010 SAT (middle 50% 878–1140) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 41st percentile nationally. Shepherd University ranks #6 in the state of West Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 878 to 1140
SAT policy
Shepherd University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1010 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Shepherd University ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
19-24Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
8%25th Percentile Scores
- English 19
- Math 16
- Composite 19
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 22
- Composite 24
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Shepherd University typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 19–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Shepherd University places #6 among colleges in West Virginia for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 24
ACT policy
You may apply to Shepherd University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Shepherd University chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Shepherd University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Shepherd University is $45.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Shepherd University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 96.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (878-1140); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Shepherd University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237792.
GPA calculator: Shepherd University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026