American Public University System vs Shepherd University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| American Public University System Charles Town, WV | Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +279% | +60% |
| 10-year net gain | $129,019 | $32,167 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $62,533 | $53,549 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $54,029 | $33,587 |
| Average net price | $9,597 | $11,363 |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $21,600 |
| Break-even | 2.6 yrs | 6.2 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 57% | 51% |
| Admission rate | — | 97% |
American Public University System
Strong return
+$129,019 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Shepherd University
Break-even
+$32,167 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.