Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 48.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.5%
- Retention Rate
- 72.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $49,358
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,600
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $229/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $24,875 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,556 | $27,490 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $45,852 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $44,933 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $40,188 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,670 | $19,813 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $38,289 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $18,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $36,674 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $19,100 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $33,565 | $21,565 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $17,677 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $19,225 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $31,763 | $21,350 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $31,127 | $21,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Shepherd graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $21,600, creating monthly payments of $229 that consume about 5.6% of their typical $49,358 starting salary. This debt-to-income ratio of 0.44 sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold that financial experts warn against. The university's strong education and business programs feed graduates into teaching, healthcare administration, and regional business roles where steady employment compensates for modest starting salaries. With a 95.8% employment rate and half of borrowers successfully repaying loans, graduates find stable footing in West Virginia's job market. The combination of manageable debt and reliable career placement delivers an average return on investment.