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Shepherd University

Shepherd University is based in the town of Shepherdstown, WV — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$7,488

family income
under $30k

$9,838

$30–48k

$12,068

$48–75k

$15,412

$75–110k

$16,778

over $110k

Average net price

$11,3632023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Shepherd University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $12,391 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $11,363.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$10,392
2009	$10,650
2010	$11,043
2011	$12,354
2012	$9,824
2013	$10,178
2014	$10,179
2015	$10,939
2016	$9,908
2017	$9,861
2018	$11,021
2019	$10,983
2020	$8,483
2021	$11,400
2022	$12,391
2023	$11,363

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$19,6012024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Shepherd University rose from $14,936 (2009) to $19,601 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$14,936
2010	$15,562
2011	$16,179
2012	$16,984
2013	$14,846
2014	$15,813
2015	$16,107
2016	$17,055
2017	$16,387
2018	$16,744
2019	$17,943
2020	$17,759
2021	$17,822
2022	$18,205
2023	$19,863
2024	$19,601

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2001	$2,658	$6,294
2002	$2,866	$6,982
2003	$3,270	$8,030
2004	$3,654	$9,234
2005	$4,046	$10,618
2006	$4,348	$11,464
2007	$4,564	$12,036
2008	$4,898	$12,812
2013	$6,256	$15,840
2014	$6,570	$16,628
2015	$6,830	$16,628
2016	$7,170	$17,482
2017	$7,328	$17,869
2018	$7,548	$18,048
2019	$7,784	$18,224
2020	$7,784	$18,224
2021	$7,784	$18,224
2022	$8,282	$18,722
2023	$8,642	$19,082

IPEDS Published price 2001–02 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Shepherd University reports published tuition by residency: $9,056 in-state versus $19,082 out-of-state — a $10,026 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Shepherd University reports 2,344 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

51% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Shepherd University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

51%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Shepherd University rose from 41.3% (entered 1991) to 51% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	41.3%
1992 cohort	35.1%
1993 cohort	39.1%
1994 cohort	37.3%
1995 cohort	36.3%
1996 cohort	37.9%
1997 cohort	38.7%
1998 cohort	37.2%
1999 cohort	38.3%
2000 cohort	37.7%
2001 cohort	32.3%
2002 cohort	38.2%
2003 cohort	40%
2004 cohort	40.8%
2005 cohort	46.3%
2006 cohort	43.5%
2007 cohort	37.9%
2008 cohort	39.8%
2009 cohort	47.8%
2010 cohort	46.3%
2011 cohort	42%
2012 cohort	48.2%
2013 cohort	48.6%
2014 cohort	45.6%
2015 cohort	44.1%
2016 cohort	47.9%
2017 cohort	49.5%
2018 cohort	51%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$13,698	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$13,567	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$14,062	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$15,913	$4,236
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$15,000	$3,836
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$14,163	$3,726
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,479	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,500	$5,350
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$15,000	$5,225
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$15,750	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$16,201	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,201	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$16,694	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$18,098	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$20,086	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$21,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$21,750	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$21,666	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$21,865	$7,011
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$21,966	$8,751
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$21,500	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$21,250	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$21,170	$8,276
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$21,600	$8,250

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$43,726

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$47,170

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$49,358

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Shepherd University admitted 1,593 of 1,646 applicants in Fall 2024. The 96.8% rate describes that application pool.

96.8%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $8,642 in-state tuition · 2023–24 2,344 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 878–11401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Shepherd University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Shepherd University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 468–600 and Math was 410–540 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 878–1140 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	468	540	600
SAT Math	410	485	540
ACT Composite	19	21	24

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Shepherd University received 1,646 applications and admitted 1,593 (96.8%), with 505 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

96.8%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	93.9%
Fall 2002	82.2%
Fall 2003	89.3%
Fall 2004	85.6%
Fall 2005	90.7%
Fall 2006	93.2%
Fall 2007	83.1%
Fall 2008	88%
Fall 2009	94%
Fall 2010	93.7%
Fall 2011	87.8%
Fall 2012	87.5%
Fall 2013	81%
Fall 2014	98.3%
Fall 2015	89.9%
Fall 2016	91.9%
Fall 2017	89.1%
Fall 2018	89.5%
Fall 2019	96.3%
Fall 2020	97.7%
Fall 2021	96.4%
Fall 2022	95.9%
Fall 2023	95.7%
Fall 2024	96.8%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

878–1140Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	890	1110
Fall 2004	920	1110
Fall 2005	920	1120
Fall 2006	930	1110
Fall 2007	940	1120
Fall 2008	910	1100
Fall 2009	910	1110
Fall 2010	900	1110
Fall 2011	910	1110
Fall 2012	900	1110
Fall 2013	910	1100
Fall 2014	890	1090
Fall 2015	870	1093
Fall 2016	870	1080
Fall 2017	970	1150
Fall 2018	970	1160
Fall 2019	970	1170
Fall 2021	960	1180
Fall 2022	930	1170
Fall 2023	900	1140
Fall 2024	878	1140

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

19–24Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	18	23
Fall 2004	18	23
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	19	24
Fall 2007	19	24
Fall 2008	19	24
Fall 2009	19	24
Fall 2010	20	24
Fall 2011	19	24
Fall 2012	19	24
Fall 2013	19	24
Fall 2014	19	24
Fall 2015	19	24
Fall 2016	19	24
Fall 2017	19	24
Fall 2018	19	23
Fall 2019	19	25
Fall 2021	19	26
Fall 2022	19	24
Fall 2023	20	24
Fall 2024	19	24

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,344Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Shepherd University fell from 3,717 (Fall 2002) to 2,344 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,717
Fall 2003	3,843
Fall 2004	3,918
Fall 2005	3,436
Fall 2006	3,527
Fall 2007	3,548
Fall 2008	3,554
Fall 2009	3,676
Fall 2010	3,703
Fall 2011	3,836
Fall 2012	3,852
Fall 2013	3,695
Fall 2014	3,489
Fall 2015	3,320
Fall 2016	3,094
Fall 2017	2,956
Fall 2018	2,817
Fall 2019	2,631
Fall 2020	2,479
Fall 2021	2,299
Fall 2022	2,325
Fall 2023	2,375
Fall 2024	2,344

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

71%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Shepherd University has held near 71% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	68%
Fall 2003 cohort	71%
Fall 2004 cohort	69%
Fall 2005 cohort	70%
Fall 2006 cohort	67%
Fall 2007 cohort	65%
Fall 2008 cohort	66%
Fall 2009 cohort	70%
Fall 2010 cohort	68%
Fall 2011 cohort	63%
Fall 2012 cohort	68%
Fall 2013 cohort	68%
Fall 2014 cohort	66%
Fall 2015 cohort	60%
Fall 2016 cohort	65%
Fall 2017 cohort	69%
Fall 2018 cohort	71%
Fall 2019 cohort	73%
Fall 2020 cohort	66%
Fall 2021 cohort	70%
Fall 2022 cohort	72%
Fall 2023 cohort	71%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Shepherd University

Faculty pay at Shepherd University averages $93,456 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Shepherd University as a primarily residential campus of 2,344 undergraduates — and 71.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Shepherd University's SAT section-percentile sums are 878–1140 — their midpoint is near the WV four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Shepherd University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Shepherd University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Shepherd University96.8%

West Virginia median93.3%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Shepherd University$9,056

West Virginia median$10,376

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Shepherd University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Shepherd University$49,358

West Virginia median$44,409

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Shepherd University, West Virginia and national reference values
Metric & basis	Shepherd University	West Virginia median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	96.8%	93.3%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$9,056	$10,376	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$49,358	$44,409	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Shepherd University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Shepherd University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 14 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$78,764
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$74,218
Sociology	$63,412
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$62,588
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General	$56,953
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies	$51,789
Communication and Media Studies	$50,353
Fine and Studio Arts	$50,124
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$49,153
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$48,992
Social Work	$48,122
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$46,797
Psychology, General	$41,344
English Language and Literature, General	$38,581

These 14 fields listed for Shepherd University measure earnings after completion. The $49,358 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 19 additional Shepherd University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Shepherd University report?

Shepherd University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 878–1140 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Shepherd University's acceptance rate?

96.8% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,593 admitted from 1,646 applicants.

How much does Shepherd University cost?

In-state tuition is $9,056; out-of-state students pay $19,082. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Shepherd University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $49,358. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in West Virginia

West Virginia State University — 96% admitted
West Liberty University — 97.3% admitted
West Virginia Wesleyan College — 93.3% admitted
West Virginia University — 89% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.