Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV

Public midsize campus Rural: Fringe 2,344 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$11,363per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
39%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
29%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$21,600federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
50%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $21,600. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $251 a month, about $30,095 repaid in total, of which $8,495 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $153 a month — but the total climbs to $45,799, roughly $15,704 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Shepherd University’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$9,056published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$19,082published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
97%
Average SAT
1,034of admitted students
Average ACT
23of admitted students

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$49,35810 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Rural: Fringe
Residential character
Primarily residential — many students live on campus

Most common fields of study

  • Health professions18%
  • Business & marketing12%
  • Liberal arts & humanities10%
  • Education9%
  • Visual & performing arts6%
  • Social sciences6%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NCAA Division II with football

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Shepherd University. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$251per month

Total repaid
$30,095
Interest paid
$8,495

Longer term — 25 years

$153per month

Total repaid
$45,799
Interest paid
$24,199

Borrow $21,600 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $15,704 more — $45,799 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Shepherd University.