Overview
Shepherdstown, WV Shepherd University is a public 4-year college located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. There are currently 2,325 undergraduates at Shepherd and the school’s acceptance rate is 96%. The tuition at Shepherd is $8,282 for in-state students and $18,722 for out-of-state.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$23,144
$25,166
$8,418
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$23,144for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$33,584for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Shepherd is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Shepherd is $23,144 for in-state students in WV, and $33,584 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Shepherd would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Shepherd University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Shepherd University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Shepherd University is 003822.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at Shepherd University
33% of students at Shepherd University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Shepherd University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Shepherd students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
96%
23
Is Shepherd test-optional?
Shepherd University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Action
Rolling deadline at Shepherd
Shepherd University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Shepherd's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Should I apply Early Action at Shepherd?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
15:1
Graduation Rate
48%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
15%
15% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
14%
14% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
12%
12% of graduates
Education
8%
8% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,325
Pell Grant 31%
Undergrad Students Over 25 13%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 10%
Percent Male / Female 39% / 61%
Ethnic Diversity at Shepherd
71% White
8% Black
8% Hispanic
6% Multiracial
3% Unknown
2% Asian / Pacific Islander
2% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$49,358
Median Debt $21,600
Debt 10 years after graduation $229
Graduation Rate 48%
What is the graduation rate at Shepherd University?
48% of students who start at Shepherd University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 10% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Shepherd University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Shepherd University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $49,358. This is $1,033 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Shepherd take out in loans?
Graduates of Shepherd have to take out a median of $21,600 in federal student loans. This is $8,100 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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