Health Sciences at Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,351/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 of 156 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Health Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $470K $471K $449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.6x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,568
Out-of-state: $76,328 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,564
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,351 at Shepherd University come in 8% above the national median of $36,567 for Health Sciences programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Health Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Health Sciences's typical career paths, with 43% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $39,351 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #54 of 156 Health Sciences programs, Shepherd University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Shepherd University

Shepherd University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd University →

Top Career Paths

Health education specialists $63,000/yr
Community health workers $51,030/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Health Sciences at Other Schools

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Health Sciences at Shepherd University?
A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Health Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Health Sciences careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $449,037 in decade earnings vs $469,982 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →