Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Shepherd University #709 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,600 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shepherd University in the 51.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #788 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #709 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Shepherd University enrolls roughly 2,344 undergraduates. Retention stands at 71.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 51.0%, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Shepherd University delivers meaningful returns on investment for its students. Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #819 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,251, and earn about $1,600 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shepherd University in the 51.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Health fields — which represent a significant share of degrees — aligns with stable, in-demand career pathways that support strong early-career outcomes. Access and affordability round out the composite. 29.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.9% are first-generation college students, positioning Shepherd University as an accessible option for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Azimuth ranks Shepherd University in the 30.4 percentile for access and the 82.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families weighing both upfront affordability and long-term earnings potential, Shepherd University offers a balanced public university value proposition grounded in health-sciences strength and consistent graduate outcomes.
Shepherd University's published cost of attendance is $19,601. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $7,906, middle-income families pay around $10,107, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,866. Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #247 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Shepherd's net prices reflect the lower tuition structure typical of West Virginia public institutions, paired with need-based aid that reshapes cost across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,600, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,546; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,251, median federal debt of $21,600 projects to a monthly payment of about $244 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $46,335 would shift the real affordability picture — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Shepherd University is a strong fit for students drawn to health fields who want a public university experience in WV. The institution's program mix leans heavily toward health, with 15% of graduates completing degrees in Health fields. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,251, placing Shepherd University in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,600 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 51.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports access for Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 29.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.9% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $15,866, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $30,928 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive for South's labor market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Shepherd University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Shepherd University's published cost of attendance is $19,601. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $7,906, middle-income families pay around $10,107, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,866.
Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #247 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Shepherd's net prices reflect the lower tuition structure typical of West Virginia public institutions, paired with need-based aid that reshapes cost across income levels.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,600, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,546; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,251, median federal debt of $21,600 projects to a monthly payment of about $244 under standard ten-year repayment.
In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $46,335 would shift the real affordability picture — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Shepherd University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,251, placing Shepherd University in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,600 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shepherd University in the 51.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Shepherd University #819 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect Shepherd's concentration in health-related fields, where graduates move into stable, in-demand roles with consistent early-career earnings trajectories.
The earnings pattern centers on health professions and applied sciences. Business Administration is the largest program with 75 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $62,588, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field.
The General Studies program graduates 71 students earning $49,153, while Nursing with 62 graduates reaches $78,764. Teacher Education and Artificial Intelligence round out the top five, each contributing to the institution's health-focused program portfolio.
This concentration in Health fields — which together represent a substantial share of degree output — creates a coherent earnings signature aligned with regional labor-market demand in West Virginia and surrounding areas.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
62 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
37 graduates
Sociology
19 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
75 graduates
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
23 graduates
Shepherd University's program mix centers on health and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university. Business Administration is the largest program with 75 graduates annually, followed by General Studies, Nursing, Teacher Education, and Artificial Intelligence.
Across 21 programs serving roughly 565 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength in health-related and business-oriented fields. The earnings pattern reflects Shepherd University's focus on direct-to-workforce pathways.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $78,764 four years after enrollment, with 62 graduates. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $74,218 with a cohort of 37, while Business Administration delivers $62,588 for 75 graduates.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies round out the highest-earning programs, earning $56,953 and $51,789 respectively. These outcomes reflect the institution's emphasis on applied health sciences and business fields where employers recruit actively and starting salaries support early-career financial stability.
Shepherd University's program distribution—with Business representing 15%, Education at 8%, and Arts at 6%—positions the institution as a regional hub for health professions and business education. Most programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly, particularly in nursing, allied health, and accounting fields where demand remains strong.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Hawaii-West Oahu Similar quality tier (#21382 ranked) | HI | 95% | $52,075 | #21382 | Compare |
Winthrop University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#21378 ranked) | SC | 79% | $47,185 | #21378 | Compare |
Haskell Indian Nations University Similar quality tier (#21450 ranked) | KS | 90% | $37,043 | #21450 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Similar quality tier (#21368 ranked) | TX | 64% | $45,515 | #21368 | Compare |
Northern Michigan University Similar quality tier (#21358 ranked) | MI | 84% | $47,107 | #21358 | Compare |
