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Shepherd University
Shepherd University admits nearly everyone — 96.8% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Shepherd University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Shepherd University anchors the college town of Shepherdstown, WV, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $78,764 four years out. Faculty pay averages $93,456 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,344 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 71.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 900 and 1140 — near the WV middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Shepherd University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Shepherd University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 900–1140 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Shepherd University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 470 | 520 | 580 |
| SAT Math | 430 | 490 | 560 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 22 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Shepherd University received 1,793 applications and admitted 1,715 (95.6%), with 566 enrolling.
How Shepherd University compares
| Shepherd University | West Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 96.8% | 93.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,056 | $10,376 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $49,358 | $44,409 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Shepherd University student earns $49,358 — 11% above the West Virginia median of $44,409 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Shepherd University prices by residency: $9,056 in-state versus $19,082 out-of-state — a $10,026 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Shepherd University enrolls 2,344 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Shepherd University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
51% graduate within six years. Roughly 49% don't — ask a Shepherd University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Shepherd University
| Bachelor's program | 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 |
Median earnings for these 14 Shepherd University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $49,358 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 19 additional Shepherd University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Shepherd University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 900–1140 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 96.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Shepherd University's acceptance rate?
95.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,715 admitted from 1,793 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 do Shepherd University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $49,358 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
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: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.