Admit rate has ranged 74%–80% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Shenandoah University is a private, nationally-ranked institution in Winchester, VA, known for its blend of professional career preparation and liberal arts education. With a 77% acceptance rate and a median SAT score of 1110, it offers a welcoming environment for students seeking hands-on learning across 200+ areas of study, including standout programs in music, health sciences, and cybersecurity. The university fosters a tight-knit community with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and a strong emphasis on service learning and student engagement.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,116
In-state tuition
$36,950
Out-of-state tuition
$36,950
Acceptance Rate
77%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
64%
Average Financial Aid Package
$30,873
Median Earnings (1 Year Post-Grad)
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,433
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
67%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
37%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$40,251
Financial health
2.9 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$67,660
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$62,911
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$41,565
Business Administration, Management and Operations$39,585
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$38,289
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
86
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
38.1"
Annual snow
16.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
92
Scholarly works
1,788
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
23%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Shenandoah University?
Shenandoah University's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Winchester, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Shenandoah University cost?
At Shenandoah University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,298 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Shenandoah University?
Shenandoah University enrolls approximately 2,116 undergraduate students.
Where is Shenandoah University located?
Shenandoah University is located in Winchester, VA.
Admissions
Shenandoah University is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 77% (3,232 accepted out of 4,200 applicants). Enrolled students typically have SAT scores between 935–1210 (median 1110) or ACT scores around 23. The university attracts a diverse pool, with 46% of transfer students coming from Virginia community colleges. Notably, female applicants have a slightly lower acceptance rate (73%) compared to males (83%).
Acceptance Rate: 77% (varies slightly by source, ranging from 74%-77%)
Median SAT: 1110 (math + reading)
Median ACT: 23
Enrollment Yield: ~29% (portion of admitted students who enroll)
Sources vary slightly in reported stats, but all agree on the university's moderately selective admissions process.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Criminal Justice and Corrections$35,772
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences$32,925
Psychology, General$32,391
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Shenandoah offers 200+ areas of study, with a strong emphasis on professional programs alongside liberal arts. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures small classes and personalized attention. Standout programs include:
Music: Composition, conducting, and performance degrees
Health Sciences: Athletic training, clinical mental health counseling
Technology: Cybersecurity (a newer addition)
Experiential learning is a hallmark: 90% of students participate in first-year experiences, 75% in service learning, and 75% complete writing-intensive coursework. The university is expanding its offerings, with five new undergraduate and graduate programs debuting in Fall 2025.
Notably, Shenandoah emphasizes blending career-ready skills with broad education, as reflected in its curriculum.
Shenandoah promotes a close-knit, engaged community with a focus on compassion, responsibility, and advocacy (per its Student Code of Conduct). Campus life includes:
Housing: On-campus options with a residential community vibe
Clubs & Organizations: Active student groups (though specifics aren't detailed in sources)
Location: Winchester, VA, offers a mix of small-town charm and access to outdoor activities
The Division of Student Affairs works to create environments where students develop personal and professional skills outside the classroom. Social media hints at a lively atmosphere, with the university actively promoting involvement through its Student Life Facebook page.
1. Hands-on Learning: With 75% service participation and capstone projects, students graduate with real-world experience. 2. Music & Health Focus: Its conservatory and health sciences programs are regional standouts, offering rigorous training. 3. Community Vibe: The 10:1 ratio and Winchester setting create a supportive, personalized environment—far from the anonymity of large state schools.
It’s ideal for students who want a small-college feel with professional program strength, particularly in the arts and healthcare.
Shenandoah University logo · sourceShenandoah University Locations - Campus Maps · sourceShenandoah University Locations - Campus Maps · source200+ Areas of Study at Shenandoah University · source
