Shepherd University Admissions

SAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid & More

McMurran Hall at Shepherd University in West Virginia
McMurran Hall at Shepherd University in West Virginia. Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated November 09, 2017

Shepherd University Admissions Overview:

Students applying to Shepherd University will generally need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 (on the 4.0 scale) to be admitted. Students with GPAs higher than this, and with test scores within or above the ranges posted below have a good chance of being admitted to the school. Along with an application and test scores, applicants will need to submit official high school transcripts.

For more information, be sure to visit Shepherd's admissions website.

Admissions Data (2016):

Shepherd University Description:

Founded in 1871, Shepherd University is a public, four-year university located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, a historic town on the Potomac River. Washington, D.C, and Baltimore, Maryland, are just over an hour away. About 60% of students come from West Virginia. In recent decades the university has expanded considerable with a new science and technology center, an addition to the main library, a nursing building, and a center for contemporary arts. Shepherd offers a total of 75 undergraduate and 5 graduate programs across a host of academic divisions.

The school's most popular majors span the arts, sciences, social sciences, and professional fields. The university is especially proud of its programs in Music, Social Work, and Contemporary Art and Theater. Academics are supported by an 18 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of between 20 and 25.

High achieving students should check out the university's Honors Program to gain access to special classes, Honors field trips and social events, and housing exclusively for Honors students. Shepherd students stay involved in campus life outside of the classroom, and the school is home to plenty of student clubs and organizations including a break dancing club, a musical theatre club, the Outdoor Adventure Club, and numerous intramural sports. The university also has several fraternities and sororities. On the intercollegiate front, the Shepherd University Rams compete in the NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference (MEC) with sports including men’s golf, women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s tennis.

Enrollment (2016):

  • Total Enrollment: 3,779 (3,436 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 42% Male / 58% Female
  • 79% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

  • Tuition and Fees: $7,170 (in-state); $17,482 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,000 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $9,682
  • Other Expenses: $2,875
  • Total Cost: $20,727 (in-state); $31,039 (out-of-state)

Shepherd University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 92%
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 78%
    • Loans: 57%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $7,237
    • Loans: $10,100

    Academic Programs:

    • Most Popular Majors: Art, Business Administration, Elementary Education, General Studies, Nursing, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Secondary Education

    Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates:

    • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 60%
    • Transfer Out Rate: 12%
    • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 25%
    • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 46%

    Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

    • Men's Sports: Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Football, Baseball, Basketball
    • Women's Sports: Basketball, Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, Soccer

    Data Source:

    National Center for Educational Statistics

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