Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Shepherd University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 44% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 61st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WV wage index 0.71). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Shepherd University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,914 | $78,764 | -11% | #773 of 966 | #296 | $24,875 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $57,265 | $74,218 | -20% | #358 of 459 | #223 | $21,500 |
| Sociology | $33,190 | $63,412 | +20% | #49 of 462 | #5 | $18,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,766 | $62,588 | -8% | #684 of 1176 | #264 | $17,677 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $39,351 | $56,953 | -7% | #87 of 156 | #38 | $25,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $34,287 | $51,789 | +2% | #27 of 63 | #6 | $22,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,653 | $50,353 | -11% | #437 of 660 | #170 | $19,225 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,059 | $50,124 | +21% | #58 of 423 | #7 | $21,500 |
| Biology | $49,165 | — | — | — | — | $19,100 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,587 | $49,153 | -7% | #317 of 476 | #124 | $21,350 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,549 | $48,992 | +3% | #293 of 680 | #44 | $19,813 |
| Social Work | $32,965 | $48,122 | -7% | #319 of 420 | #87 | $21,565 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,921 | $46,797 | -15% | #235 of 265 | #106 | $25,000 |
| Psychology | $31,282 | $41,344 | -18% | #936 of 1027 | #610 | $21,449 |
| English Language and Literature | $27,186 | $38,581 | -21% | #524 of 576 | #394 | $18,360 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Shepherd University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $491,453
- Avg rent near campus: $1,550/mo — vs ~$644/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 25438 (4.9% cap, Ranson)
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🏆 Where Shepherd University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,288 | $15,774 |
| Room | $5,798 | |
| Board | $5,510 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $23,516 | $33,956 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,488 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,838 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,068 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,412 |
| $110,001+ | $16,778 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Shepherd University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Shepherd University?
How much does it cost to attend Shepherd University?
What is the graduation rate at Shepherd University?
Is Shepherd University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Shepherd University?
Is there rental demand near Shepherd University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Shepherd University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Shepherd University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology