undergrad-partner-school

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University is a public university located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Established in 1871, it has a rich history and a strong focus on liberal arts education. The university offers a wide range of programs, including over 90 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as graduate programs in various fields.

One of the unique aspects of Shepherd University is its small class sizes, which allow for personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty. This creates a supportive learning environment where students can actively engage in discussions and receive mentorship from experienced professors. Additionally, the university places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs to enrich students' educational experiences.

Shepherd University also boasts a vibrant campus life, with numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic teams for students to get involved in. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II and offers various sports programs, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field. Furthermore, Shepherdstown, the charming town in which the university is located, offers historical sites, cultural events, and outdoor recreational activities, providing students with a well-rounded college experience.

Located in Shepherdstown, WV, Shepherd University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 97%. The freshman retention rate at Shepherd University is 73.32% and the six-year graduation rate is 49%.

Here are some recent information on important things to consider about Shepherd University.

Quick Facts

2,716

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

97%

Acceptance Rate

14:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

49%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for Shepherd University?

According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,613 in 2021. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.

Test Scores

Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 74% and ACT scores 21%. 14% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 43% between 1,000 and 1,199, 41% between 800 and 999, and 2% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5, 40 between 24-29, 45 in the range between 18-23, and 10 between 12-17.

The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2021 was 23 while the average GPA was 3.6. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.

The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 538 and an average SAT Math score of 513.

Average Test Scores

Retention Rate

The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.

The freshman retention rate for Shepherd University was 73.32% in 2021, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 49%.

Student Body

Making the decision of which school is the optimal match for you is not easy. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.

Main Student Body

In 2021, the school enrolled 3,159 students.

The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 33% for that year. There was a total of 2,716 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 34 international students. 191 students enrolled as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

The student body is coeducational, with 982 male and 1,400 female full-time students in 2021. 44 full-time graduate men and 83 full-time graduate women attended this school.

Student Population Diversity

Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.

In 2021, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 51, and the number of Black American students was 188. 162 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 123 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 10 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 63 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important data on Shepherd University costs that most students encounter at this school.

Tuition and Fees

Wondering about tuition at Shepherd University? Here is what you need to know.

For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $6,288. Tuition fees were $6,288 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at Shepherd University, you should know that the 2021 tuition came to $6,288, as well. Full-time students in 2021 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,994.

Tuition Fees Total
Out-of-State $6,288 $1,994 $8,282
In-State $6,288 $1,994 $8,282

Boarding

Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?

The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Shepherd University was $11,308 in 2021. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2021 amounted to $5,798 for one academic year.

Tuition $ 6,288
Room and Board $ 11,308
Total Expense $ 17,596

Financial Aid

Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for completing your studies. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Shepherd University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.

According to the most recent data, 311 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,277.

Need-based

Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.

There were 854 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Shepherd University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,199. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $3,903,795, and state $1,649,748.

$8,049

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 533 students overall (including freshmen) at Shepherd University in 2021. 174 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $4,586,867. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $637,914 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).

Faculty

14:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.

In 2021, this ratio at Shepherd University was 14:1. That means that there were 14 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 166 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 135 male and 146 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Shepherd University.

Student Population Diversity Graph

0
100
0
100

Campus Life

It is not all about learning and grades at Shepherd University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Shepherd University.

It has a campus size of 325 acres.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.

There are 87 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 3 and female students 4. The student organization that is most favored by students is Program Board, followed by Sigma Sigma Sigma and Ram Marching Band. Other popular organizations among the students at Shepherd University are Student Government Association and Relay for Life.

Those who have a talent for music can join the Shepherd University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Shepherd University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

At Shepherd University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.

This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Shepherd University.

All in all, campus life at Shepherd University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Shepherd University.

Career Counselling

At Shepherd University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

FAQ

Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, WV.

Shepherd University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Shepherd University is 97%.

The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Shepherd University is 73.32%.

Contact Information

Shepherd University,

PO Box 5000

Shepherdstown, WV

25443

304 876-5000

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

Find the best schools for you.

Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.

Get started