At a glance
Average net price
$11,363
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
51.0%
Admission rate
97%
Undergrad size
2,344
In-state tuition
$9,056
Out-of-state tuition
$19,082
Cost of attendance
$19,601
Median earnings (10y)
$49,358
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,034
- ACT midpoint
- 23
- Retention
- 71.4%
- Locale
- Rural
Programs breakdown
21 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (23%), social sciences (20%), health (17%).
- STEM14%
- Health17%
- Business16%
- Humanities & arts23%
- Social sciences20%
- Trades & services10%
- Health professions17.1%~402 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business16.0%~376 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Liberal arts10.7%~250 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education7.2%~168 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~134 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~121 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~116 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences4.6%~108 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology4.4%~104 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~91 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science3.7%~86 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English2.9%~69 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~69 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~56 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication2.4%~56 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~34 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics1.5%~34 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.3%~30 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~17 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering0.5%~13 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~9 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
32 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 136 | $31,498 | $29,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 134 | $40,026 | $18,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 128 | $61,704 | $27,206 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 88 | $39,615 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 61 | $49,620 | $21,830 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | Bachelor's | 61 | $34,185 | $24,950 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 55 | $25,225 | $21,937 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 52 | $25,289 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 49 | $33,675 | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 48 | $54,888 | — |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 46 | $31,183 | $27,722 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 38 | $30,461 | $20,030 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 37 | — | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 33 | $26,309 | $19,558 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 27 | $31,000 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 26 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 25 | $35,736 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | First professional | 20 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 20 | $27,649 | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 19 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 19 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 18 | — | $19,661 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master's | 15 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 13 | — | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 10 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Area Studies. | Master's | 7 | — | — |
| Engineering Science. | Bachelor's | 7 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 7 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 5 | — | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 5 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Shepherd University
Shepherd University is a mid-sized institution located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 2,344 undergraduate students in a rural setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Shepherd University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $11,363 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $9,056 for in-state students and $19,082 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $19,601 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 51.0%, a above-average completion outcome. 71.4% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $49,358 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Shepherd University confers degrees and certificates across 21 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Liberal arts. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (23% of credentials), social sciences (20% of credentials), health (17% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Shepherd University accepts 97% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,034. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 23.
Location & campus
Set in Shepherdstown, West Virginia (rural), Shepherd University draws students from across West Virginia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Shepherd University
Q.How much does Shepherd University cost?
The average net price at Shepherd University is $11,363 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $19,601.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Shepherd University?
Shepherd University has a 6-year graduation rate of 51.0% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Shepherd University?
Shepherd University admits 97% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Shepherd University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Shepherd University graduate earns $49,358 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Shepherd University?
Published tuition is $9,056 in-state and $19,082 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Shepherd University located?
Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia (ZIP 25443).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Shepherd University at their official website.