At $30,055/yr net price, Shenandoah University graduates earn $58,433/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,433/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,055 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $120,220 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,433/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,433/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,803/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,419/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,951/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,797/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,304/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $118,737 | $162,106 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,108 | $49,022 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $77,401 | $104,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | $39,115 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,083 | $114,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $67,660 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $65,131 | $58,924 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,911 | $25,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $54,109 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $53,045 | $27,108 |
The Risk Factor
70.5% of students at Shenandoah University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Shenandoah University's financial return depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The median earnings of $58,433 ten years out cover a net price near $30,000 a year, but that median hides a wide split between the health programs and everything else.
Your best bet here is health care. Allied Health and Registered Nursing graduates out-earn every other field listed, with nursing clearing $62,000 while carrying the same $25,000 debt load as business majors who earn roughly $23,000 less. If you enroll intending to work in a hospital or clinic, the math works, and Winchester's proximity to the DC and Northern Virginia health systems gives you somewhere to use that degree.
Outside health, the picture weakens fast. Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions, business, and teacher education all land in the high $30,000s to low $40,000s. Teacher education pays the least and carries the most debt at $27,000, so you'd graduate owing more to earn less. If any of these is your plan, the price tag is hard to justify.
The main risk is that you pay a private-college price for a non-health degree. The 70.5% graduation rate means a real share of students leave without a diploma, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $21,800, versus $34,300 if you're over $110,000. That $12,500 gap makes Shenandoah far more affordable at the bottom of the income scale.
This school is a good fit if you're set on nursing or allied health and can finish. If you're chasing an education or general business degree, run the numbers against a cheaper public option before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shenandoah University worth the money?
Shenandoah University's value depends heavily on your major. Pharmacy and nursing graduates earn strong salaries ($118,737 and $100,108 respectively), but the $30,055 annual cost may not pay off for lower-earning programs.
What majors at Shenandoah University have the best ROI?
Pharmacy ($118,737 median salary) and nursing ($100,108) offer the strongest returns at Shenandoah University. Business and rehabilitation programs earn around $76,000, which provides moderate value given the school's cost.
How much debt do Shenandoah University graduates have?
Shenandoah University graduates leave with $25,000 in median debt, which is manageable for high-earning majors like pharmacy but could strain graduates in lower-paying fields. The 70.5% graduation rate means 3 in 10 students don't finish.
Does Shenandoah University provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $30,055 annually, Shenandoah University's financial aid brings costs down from the full sticker price. However, this still represents a significant investment that only pays off well in select programs like healthcare fields.