Shepherd University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Shepherd University Acceptance Rate

Shepherd University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 95.7%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.

Admissions Guidelines

• Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
• Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive

Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 95.7% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.60 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.40 – 3.59

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.15

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Shepherd University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Shepherd University is 3.6. Shepherd University is highly selective.

Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.30 and 3.6, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at Shepherd University

Shepherd University Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into Shepherd University Without SAT or ACT?

Shepherd University Average SAT Score: 1022

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Shepherd University is 1022 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1022 — Accessible

This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1022 on the SAT.

If your score is below 900, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Shepherd University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 900 then you are below most of the admitted students at Shepherd University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1140 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000

Can I get into Shepherd University with a 1150 SAT?

With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Shepherd University are good but the admission staff at Shepherd University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Shepherd University ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Shepherd University is 22.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes Shepherd University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 22 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Shepherd University with a 24 ACT?

A 24 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Shepherd University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Shepherd University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Shepherd University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Shepherd University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 24 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 22

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Shepherd University

Shepherd University Profile

Is a Shepherd University Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Shepherd University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Alabama State University	Montgomery, AL	977	18
Baptist Health College Little Rock	Little Rock, AR	980	20
Colorado State University Pueblo	Pueblo, CO	1005	22
University of Bridgeport	Bridgeport, CT	985	NA
Delaware State University	Dover, DE	984	24
Trinity Baptist College	Jacksonville, FL	1007	20
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College	Tifton, GA	994	19
College of Coastal Georgia	Brunswick, GA	1001	18
Clayton State University	Morrow, GA	973	18
Columbus State University	Columbus, GA	994	21

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Shepherd University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Faulkner University	Montgomery, AL	1016	20
University of West Alabama	Livingston, AL	1015	20
Central Baptist College	Conway, AR	1022	20
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton	Morrilton, AR	1020	20
Williams Baptist University	Walnut Ridge, AR	1018	19

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Shepherd University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Auburn University at Montgomery	Montgomery, AL	1090	21
Jacksonville State University	Jacksonville, AL	1055	21
Spring Hill College	Mobile, AL	1090	22
Troy University	Troy, AL	1086	22
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, AZ	1095	22

Degree Programs at Shepherd University

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Shepherd University →

Frequently Asked Questions About Shepherd University Admissions