Students at Shenandoah University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $10,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university consistently delivers strong financial outcomes, ranking in the top 25% nationally for both overall earnings and low-income student success.
Shenandoah University delivers solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $58,433 ten years after enrollment and earnings that exceed expectations by nearly $9,700 compared with similar students at other institutions. Located in Winchester, Virginia, this private nonprofit university serves about 4,000 students and maintains selective admission standards while focusing on professional programs that lead to stable career paths.
The university's strength lies in its professional program portfolio, particularly in nursing and healthcare fields, which consistently produce graduates with strong earning potential. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest and highest-return program, graduating 109 students annually with median earnings of $62,911. While net prices run higher than typical public options, the investment generally pays off through above-average long-term earnings and strong loan repayment rates.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Shenandoah combines limited access for low-income students with strong outcomes for those who do enroll. The university serves a relatively affluent student body, with only 19% receiving Pell Grants, but delivers meaningful earnings advantages that place it in the top 30% nationally for return on investment among similar institutions.
Shenandoah University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-paying careers. Adult Health Nursing dominates both in scale and financial outcomes, graduating 109 students annually with strong median earnings of $62,911 two years after graduation. This program represents the university's core strength in healthcare education, where employer demand remains consistently high and career pathways are clearly defined.
Business Administration and Management provides another solid pathway, with 40 graduates earning around $39,585 in early career positions. While earnings start more modestly than nursing, business graduates often see steady advancement opportunities in the regional economy. The university also offers specialized programs like Aerospace Physiology and Medicine, which serves a smaller cohort of 41 students but provides unique career preparation in a highly technical field.
The university's medium size allows for focused attention on these professional programs while maintaining strong employer relationships across healthcare, business, and specialized technical fields. This concentrated approach helps explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations, as programs are designed around clear workforce needs rather than broad liberal arts exploration.
Graduates of Shenandoah University achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that justify the higher upfront investment. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $58,433, placing the university in the 71st percentile nationally for earnings performance. More importantly, graduates earn nearly $9,700 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting one of the stronger "earnings beyond expectations" advantages among private universities in Virginia.
The university's professional focus drives much of this success. Adult Health Nursing leads both in scale and financial outcomes, graduating 109 students annually with median earnings of $62,911 two years after graduation. Business Administration and Management graduates earn around $39,585 early in their careers, while the university's specialized Aerospace Physiology and Medicine program, though smaller with 41 graduates, provides unique career pathways. These professional programs create clear connections between academic preparation and workforce demand, helping explain why Shenandoah graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations.
The university's medium size and focused program portfolio contribute to strong employer relationships and career placement support. With 479 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, Shenandoah demonstrates its ability to prepare students for well-paying careers across healthcare, business, and specialized professional fields that continue to show strong demand in the regional and national job markets.
Affordability at Shenandoah University reflects its positioning as a private institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $21,803 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $25,951, and high-income families pay approximately $34,304. These prices place the university in the 14th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs run higher than most comparable institutions.
Despite higher sticker prices, the university's financial aid approach helps make attendance feasible for families across income levels. The relatively modest gap between low-income and middle-income net prices suggests meaningful institutional aid for students who demonstrate financial need. However, families should expect to contribute more than they would at public alternatives, and many rely on a combination of federal loans, institutional grants, and family resources to cover costs.
Debt levels reflect the higher cost structure but remain within manageable ranges given graduate earnings. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $37,073. With median graduate earnings of $58,433 and strong loan repayment rates of 69%, most borrowers can handle standard repayment schedules, and the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
Shenandoah University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
