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Colleges / Shepherd University

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate98%

Shepherd University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time Shepherd University students was $5,790 a year for in-state students and $15,276 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you're done with college.

Shepherd University meets 80.36% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Shepherd University is around $15,275 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $28,764 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Shepherd University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Shepherd University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,790 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as West Virginia residents.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save on the overall cost of college. Be sure to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other West Virginia colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Shepherd University?

Tuition at Shepherd University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Shepherd University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideShepherd University •Athletic Awards •Shepherd University-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Shepherd University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Shepherd University.

Room and Board Costs at Shepherd University

Housing and campus dining at Shepherd University costs $10,848 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Shepherd University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Shepherd University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is sometimes expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Shepherd University campus is located in a town in West Virginia, near Washington and D.C..

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


The Full Cost of Attending Shepherd University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Shepherd University.

How Much Does Shepherd University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Shepherd University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $5,790
Out-of-State Tuition $15,276
Room and Board $10,848
Other expenses $2,875

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Shepherd University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for part-time students


Financial Aid at Shepherd University


In 2023, 1,190 of the 2,815 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Shepherd University meets 80.36% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,275 a year. Around 64% of Shepherd University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Shepherd University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,764 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $21,411
Private Loans $12,891
Most Common Loans for Shepherd University Students
Federal Loans 60%
Private loans 7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Shepherd University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Shepherd University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Shepherd University awarded 854 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $5.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $7.19 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Shepherd University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Shepherd University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Shepherd University was $15,275 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Shepherd University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-8,043
Net In-state, Off-campus $-2,991
Out-of-State, On-Campus $16,718

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Shepherd University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Shepherd University's net cost calculator on their website.

Shepherd University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Shepherd University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Shepherd University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Shepherd University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Shepherd University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Minority Students - International Students - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Shepherd University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Shepherd University's endowment was $25.3 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Shepherd University spends about $6,065 a year.


Learn More About Shepherd University


To learn more about Shepherd University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Shepherd University

Shepherd University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$19,632

In State

$29,118

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$5,790
$15,276
Fees
$1,994
$1,994
Housing
$10,848
$10,848
Books
$1,000
$1,000

Shepherd University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

40%

Average Financial Aid Package

$14,277

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

3,159

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

98%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$7,784

Out-of-State

$17,270

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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