At $12,391/yr net price, Shepherd University graduates earn $49,358/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,358/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,391 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $49,564 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,358/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,358/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,600 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,488/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,838/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,068/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,412/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,778/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
49.5% of students at Shepherd University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Shepherd University gives you a modest but manageable financial return. The median graduate earns just under $50,000 a decade out, against a net price near $12,000 a year and median debt of $21,600. That debt-to-earnings ratio keeps loan payments realistic for most graduates, but the payoff hinges heavily on what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner here. At $61,020, it pays roughly $15,000 more than computer science and accounting, the next tier. That premium justifies its higher debt load of about $25,000, since the West Virginia and neighboring Maryland/Virginia region reliably hires nurses. Computer science and accounting both land in the mid-$40,000s and carry manageable debt, making them solid middle bets.
Teacher education and sociology sit at the bottom, around $38,000. Teacher education at least keeps debt low near $20,000, so the math still works if you know you want to teach. Sociology gives you the lowest earnings with little to distinguish its payoff.
The real risk at Shepherd is finishing. Only about half of students graduate, and just 72% return after their first year. Debt with no degree is the worst outcome here, so your ability to complete matters more than the sticker price.
If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,500 a year, which pairs well with a nursing or teaching path. Families over $110,000 pay around $16,800, and at that price the return only makes clear sense for nursing or computer science graduates.
Shepherd fits you if you plan to major in nursing, computing, or accounting and you're confident you'll finish. If you're drifting toward sociology or unsure of your major, the combination of a coin-flip graduation rate and low-earning fields makes this a weaker financial bet, and you should look harder at schools with stronger completion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shepherd University worth the cost?
Shepherd University offers decent value with a low net price of $12,391 annually and moderate debt levels around $21,600. However, the 49% graduation rate and median earnings of $49,358 after 10 years suggest mixed outcomes that depend heavily on your chosen program.
What are the best paying majors at Shepherd University?
Nursing programs at Shepherd University provide the strongest return on investment, with graduates earning around $61,020 annually. Business and computer science programs also perform well, while education majors typically earn closer to $40,000.
How much debt do Shepherd University graduates have?
Shepherd University graduates typically leave with $21,600 in debt, which is manageable compared to the national average. The low annual cost of $12,391 helps keep debt levels reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Shepherd University?
Only 49% of students graduate from Shepherd University within six years. This below-average completion rate means nearly half of students may leave without a degree while still carrying debt.