Shepherd University vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV | West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +60% | -194% |
| 10-year net gain | $32,167 | $-22,899 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,549 | $43,891 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $33,587 | $35,543 |
| Average net price | $11,363 | $1,807 |
| Median debt | $21,600 | $12,570 |
| Break-even | 6.2 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 51% | 9% |
| Admission rate | 97% | — |
Shepherd University
Break-even
+$32,167 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Poor return
$-22,899 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.