Overview
With campus overlooking the Potomac River, Shepherd University is a 4-year public liberal arts college in the Shenandoah Valley region of West Virginia. Shepherd confers bachelor’s degrees in over 90 academic majors and minors. During every school year, all Shepherd students participate in a Common Reading program featuring a book chosen by online vote. In addition to its academic facilities, the Shepherd campus is home to the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. Shepherd University is a a partner of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program and has a military-friendly campus.
Acceptance Rate:
96%
Average Net Price:
$10,685
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.6
Average ACT Composite
23
Average SAT Composite
1088
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $8,642 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $19,082 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $11,308 |
| Books and Supplies | $1000 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
80%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
31%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,328
31%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,595
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,575
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
46%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4156
32%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,595
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$5,663,401
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$7,191,116
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
52%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,835
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,886
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$203
Students receiving federal loans
52%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$6,798
Average Other Loans Per Year
$11,497
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
1690
Students Applied
70%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
191
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 15 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$45
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
9%
Submitting ACT
55%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
Average SAT Composite: 1088
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.6
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
3,235
Total Number of Undergrads
2,718
0
100
32%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
46%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
15:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Air Force
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
40
Faculty Overview
0
100
88%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
19
Countries Represented
20
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
41%
Student Organizations
87
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
34%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
27%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Rams
School Colors
blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Total Male Athletes
210
Total Female Athletes
98
Intramural Sports
10
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cheerleading-Dance Team
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Shepherd University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$43,000
Top 5 Cities
Washington
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Cumberland
Philadelphia
Top 5 Employers
Shepherd University
American Public University System
Frederick County Public Schools
U.S. Department of Veterans
Valley Health
Top 5 Sectors
Business development
Education
Operations
Sales
Community and Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,886
Loan Default Rate
10%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$203
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingI am an art major, and I have some amazing teachers who really know their stuff. I am learning so much here. I am only a freshmen but I feel that when I get out of school I will really know my stuff and be ready to be in the real world and be on my own. This school was one of the first to require everyone to take business classes so that we will be prepared to be in the real world. They have business of art classes that teach art majors how to find and keep a job. I feel that I will be able to find a job and be making money soon after graduation.
Amanda from Manassas, VA
I am a fine arts major here about to enter my senior year. I have had the benefit and pleasure to learn from amazing professors and artists. Each (art) professor is an encyclopedia of knowledge and amazing resources to tap.
Kayla from Bluefield, WV
Shepherd offers so many classes that can be taken even if it's not your major. Plus, it is a liberal arts school, so there are multiple classes that are required to graduate. Although theses general studies classes may seem like a waste at times, you actually learn more than expected. I dreaded taking sociology, but it was actually one of my favorite classes thus far. I am a biology major here, and my classes started out pretty easy letting me get into the flow of college life. But now my required courses are getting more difficult, and even though it's getting harder, I'm learning more and more and enjoying every bit of it.
Crystal from Owings, MD
The professors are always there for you when you need them and they know every student by name.
Emma from Houston, TX
Shepherd University is a place where you can learn, grow and be successful. It's location is beautiful and close to DC. Shepherd University will change your life.
Charles from Pasadena, MD
The campus is so nice, and easy to navigate. I am in the process of applying for Shepherd and they keep me updated on any paperwork I should be expecting in the mail. The admission counselor is so nice and really easy to keep in contact with; every question I've had was answered quickly and honestly.
Kacie from Craigsville, WV
I went to shepherd while still in high school. Easy campus set up. Only downfall is parking.
Joshua from Falling Waters, WV
The teachers mostly have a Ph. D. in their field, or at least they did when I attended a few years back. This tends to make them very knowledgeable in their field.
Sarah from Martinsburg, WV
The teachers seem to care about the students. Care if they aren't doing as well as they should.
Kady from Hagerstown, MD
This school has great music, history, and nursing programs. I myself am a music major, and I assure you that if you're going into music, you will definitely get a good education here. The faculty at the music department is great, and under their direction you'll get the tools you'll need to be a successful musician. From what I understand, this is true of the nursing and history programs as well, but I can't attest to that myself. The General ed classes are great too, assuming you have the right professors. If you go on professor review sites you can figure out which ones those are, or ask upperclassmen.
Nathan from Shepherdstown, WV
Similar Colleges
Fairfax, VA
Harrisonburg, VA
Radford, VA
Winchester, VA
Athens, WV
Fairmont, WV
Huntington, WV
Morgantown, WV
Frostburg, MD
College Park, MD
Salisbury, MD
Towson, MD
