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Shepherd University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Shepherdstown, WV🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

Shepherd University is a small public institution in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, with 3,235 students and a 96.8% acceptance rate. The school is highly accessible, with standardized test scores in the 878–1140 SAT range. Health Professions and Business are the most popular majors. However, the 51% six-year graduation rate is notably low, and the 71% first-year retention rate suggests challenges with student persistence.

Acceptance rate
96.8%
Enrollment
3,235
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
51%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
878 – 1140
ACT (composite)
19 – 24
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$7,906
family income
$30–48k
$7,753
family income
$48–75k
$10,107
family income
$75–110k
$14,000
family income
$110k+
$15,866
family income
29% receive Pell grants
39% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Shepherd University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Health Professions
17.1%
Business & Marketing
16.0%
Humanities
10.7%
Education
7.2%
Parks & Recreation
5.7%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$49,358
Earnings (6 yr)
$43,726
Completion
51%
Retention
71%
Median debt
$21,600

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Shepherd University?

Shepherd University has an acceptance rate of 96.8%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Shepherd University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 878 and 1140 on the SAT. The ACT range is 19–24.

How much does Shepherd University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $7,906 per year, rising to $15,866 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Shepherd University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.