Shepherd University Acceptance Rate
Shepherdstown, West Virginia · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 1,793
- Admitted
- 1,715
- Yield
- 33%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Shepherd University's acceptance rate has fallen from 98.3% in 2014–15 to 95.6% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 1,817 to 1,793 (-1%) over that period.
Its 95.6% rate makes Shepherd University more selective than about 8% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 16 tracked West Virginia schools, it is more selective than about 25%.
Shepherd University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 33% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 1,817 | 1,786 | 98.3% | 642 |
| 2015–16 | 1,648 | 1,481 | 89.9% | 638 |
| 2016–17 | 1,546 | 1,421 | 91.9% | 564 |
| 2017–18 | 1,573 | 1,402 | 89.1% | 598 |
| 2018–19 | 1,565 | 1,400 | 89.5% | 593 |
| 2019–20 | 1,370 | 1,319 | 96.3% | 483 |
| 2020–21 | 1,651 | 1,613 | 97.7% | 523 |
| 2021–22 | 1,338 | 1,290 | 96.4% | 419 |
| 2022–23 | 1,690 | 1,620 | 95.9% | 553 |
| 2023–24 | 1,793 | 1,715 | 95.6% | 566 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 1,042 | 1,004 | 96.4% |
| Men | 751 | 711 | 94.7% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 470–580 | 60% |
| SAT Math | 430–560 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–24 | 8% |
How Shepherd University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Shepherd University's acceptance rate?
Shepherd University's acceptance rate is 95.6% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (1,715 admitted of 1,793 applicants).
Is Shepherd University test optional?
Shepherd University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Shepherd University?
Shepherd University received 1,793 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 1,715.
What SAT score do you need for Shepherd University?
Admitted students at Shepherd University typically scored 470–580 on SAT Reading/Writing and 430–560 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Shepherd University getting harder to get into?
Shepherd University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 98.3% in 2014–15 to 95.6% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.shepherd.edu/.