Head-to-head · 2026
American Public University System vs Shepherd University
Compare average net price ($9,597 at American Public University System; $11,363 at Shepherd University), ROI score (11.57 vs 10.86), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,409 vs $49,358), and admissions context (Open / not reported at American Public University System; 96.8% at Shepherd University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | American Public University System | Shepherd University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.57 ✓ | 10.86 |
| Avg net price | $9,597 ✓ | $11,363 |
| 4-year avg net price | $38,388 ✓ | $45,452 |
| In-state tuition | $8,400 | $9,056 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,400 | $19,082 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,409 | $49,358 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 96.8% |
| Graduation rate | 57.2% ✓ | 51% |
| Retention rate | 97.1% ✓ | 71.4% |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $21,600 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 40,074 | 2,344 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1034 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | American Public University System | Shepherd University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,335 | $7,906 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,766 | $7,753 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,951 ✓ | $10,107 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,559 | $14,000 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $15,866 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | American Public University System | Shepherd University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 22.6% | 14.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 11.6% | 10.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 0.8% | 10.4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.7% | 5.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.6% | 0.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0% | 7.2% |
| Psychology, General | 2.9% | 3.7% |
| History | 2.5% | 2.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
American Public University System reports the lower average net price by $1,766 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,064 difference over four years ($38,388 vs $45,452).
Shepherd University reports $4,949 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,358 vs $44,409). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 97.1% at American Public University System and 71.4% at Shepherd University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,743 vs $21,600, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
American Public University System vs Shepherd University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
American Public University System is cheaper — average net price $9,597 per year vs $11,363 at Shepherd University. The annual difference of $1,766 adds up to about $7,064 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Shepherd University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,358 vs $44,409 at American Public University System. The gap in the federal data is $4,949. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.