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Shepherd University

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV · Rural · 2,344 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$11,363
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
50%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
50% typical
$49,358
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$48,772 typical
97%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Shepherd University is a public liberal arts institution located along the Potomac River in West Virginia’s oldest town, renowned for its strong programs in nursing, education, music, and business. As the state’s sole member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), the university offers an intimate, student-centered academic environment highlighted by distinctive assets such as the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War and the nationally acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival hosted on campus. Campus life features a vibrant, arts-infused culture with NCAA Division II athletics, outdoor recreation, and proximity to Washington, D.C., providing students with ample internship and research opportunities.

Wikipedia:Shepherd University is a public university in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In the fall of 2023, the university enrolled 3,274 students.

Location
Shepherdstown, WV, 25443 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IAD · Dulles
39 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,056$19,082
Housing & food (on campus)$12,916$12,916
Books & supplies$1,000$1,000
Cost of attendance$19,601$30,972
Average net price$11,363Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,082
In-state: $9,056
Housing & food (on campus)$12,916
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$30,972
In-state: $19,601
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $11,363
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.shepherd.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Shepherd University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$19,994
Housing$5,798
Food$5,830
Total published by the school$30,972
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$7,906
$30–48k
$7,753
$48–75k
$10,107
$75–110k
$14,000
$110k+
$15,866
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
50%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
35%
Back for yr 2
71%
Transferred
10%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
45% graduated · 36% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 18% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$43,726
10 yrs after entry$49,358
Debt
Median at graduation$21,600
Monthly payment$229
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25k
90th percentile$33,485
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (small programs): 50% graduate within 6 yrs, $48,772 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
97%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1034
R 468–600 · M 410–540
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 19–24 · E 19–24 · M 16–22
SAT middle 50%: 878–1140
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Shepherd University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
29%
First-gen
41%
Family income
$46,435
Independent
23%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
72%
Hispanic
9%
Black
8%
Asian
1%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$43,726
After 10 yrs
$49,358
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing66
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities65
Business Administration, Management and Operations59
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods41
Social Work28
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies25
Psychology, General25
Computer and Information Sciences, General24
Biology, General24
Fine and Studio Arts24
Communication and Media Studies19
Sociology19
Natural Resources Conservation and Research16
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General14
Accounting and Related Services9
Chemistry8
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$34M
Full-time faculty
53%
Faculty salary
$7,788/mo
Teaching spend
$8,565
per student
Federal loans
39%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (small programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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