Founded in 1875, Shenandoah University is a private, nationally recognized applied liberal arts institution, located in historic Winchester, Virginia. Shenandoah’s close-knit community is rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah empowers its students to help the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. Its main campus is adjacent to Interstate 81 at exit 313B in the northern Shenandoah Valley. Shenandoah University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Academics
- Shenandoah offers 65 undergraduate baccalaureate degree-granting programs and 44 graduate degree-granting programs. Undergraduate and graduate certificates are offered in many areas.
Faculty
Faculty Profile, Fall 2025
- 280 full-time and 197 part-time distinguished faculty come to Shenandoah University from around the world, including countries such as: Canada, China, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, and the United States.
- 72% of full-time faculty have an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or similar) in their fields or other terminal degrees.
People
Student profile, Fall 2025
- 4,488 students
- 1,342 men (34%) and 2.562 women (66%)
- 2,723 (61%) of the student body are undergraduate students, and 1,765 (39%) are graduate students
- Our student body represents 25 foreign countries
- U.S. students come from 48 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands
- Ethnicity Statistics Fall 2025 Student body:
- Hispanic/Latino – 11%
- Black or African American – 10%
- White – 60%
- American Indian/Alaska Native – <1%
- Asian – 6%
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – <1%
- Two or More Races – 5%
- Unknown – 5%
- U.S. Nonresident – 2%
Admissions Fall 2025
- 4,233 undergraduate applications were received for a first-year class of 603 first-time, degree-seeking students
- 359 degree-seeking first-year students came from Virginia
- 244 degree-seeking first-year students came from out-of-state
- The average high school GPA is 3.7
- 50% scored about a 3.75 percent high school GPA or higher
- The median SAT math and reading score for enrolled students was 1110
- The median ACT score for enrolled students was 23
- Of 100 transfer students, 46 are from two-year Virginia junior colleges, 12 from Virginia four-year institutions, 27 from four-year out-of-state institutions, and 11 from two-year out-of-state institutions
Academic Year 2025-2026
- The freshmen applicants came from 32 countries, and 46 states, plus Washington D.C.
- 79% of those applying to undergraduate programs as first-time students were accepted
- 70% of those applying to master-level programs were accepted
- 57% of those applying to doctorate-level programs were accepted
- 60% of those applying to first professional programs were accepted
Our Graduates
Academic Year 2024-2025
- 1,153 bachelor’s degrees conferred
- 235undergraduate or graduate certificates conferred
- 571 master’s degrees conferred
- 656 doctoral degrees conferred
- 70% were female and 30% were male
- Students from 35 states, 9 foreign countries, plus the District of Columbia received degrees and certificates
Residential Campus
- Shenandoah University’s campus is in historic Winchester, Virginia. It houses a majority of the university’s undergraduate programs, as well as administrative offices, performance venues (Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre and Armstrong Concert Hall), athletic facilities (Glo Fiber Field at Shentel Stadium, the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center), and student residence halls. It features a vibrant, residential campus atmosphere. Student life, athletic, and performing arts events happen across campus daily.
- The following schools are anchored at the university’s main campus: College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, Shenandoah Conservatory, and Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing.
- Shenandoah University also has a presence in downtown Winchester, with the Division of Education & Leadership programs/administrative offices in the Bowman Building, administrative offices in the Feltner Building as well as graduate student housing in Solenberger Hall. The Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, which provides arts programming for youth and the greater community, is located in the John Kerr Building in downtown Winchester as well.
- Shenandoah University encompasses 359.5 acres.
Other Educational Sites
Shenandoah’s Health Professions Building in Winchester, Virginia, opened in 1996 and is located on the Winchester Medical Center–Valley Health campus. The building is home to the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and the School of Health Professions’ Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, Counselor Education, and Physical Therapy programs. (Note: The School of Health Professions’ Athletic Training program is not at this location but on main campus in Winchester.)
The Loudoun location opened in 2001 and is home to graduate programs in education, leadership studies, accelerated second-degree nursing, communication sciences and disorders, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant studies. Loudoun is situated only 35 miles from Washington D.C.
In 2013, the university acquired 195 acres of land in Clarke County, Virginia, which was integral to the July 18, 1864, Battle of Cool Spring. The university is preserving and protecting the environmental and historical assets of this land along the Shenandoah River.
For more information on Shenandoah University’s various locations, visit the Shenandoah University Locations page
Student Life
- SU residence halls can accommodate over 1,200 students. There are 5 first-year residence halls and 5 upperclass residence halls. Apartments are available for upperclass students (The Village) and graduate students (Solenberger).
- Students may choose from more than 80 different clubs and student organizations.
- There are 21 intercollegiate and over 15 intramural and club sports.
- It is mandatory that first and second-year students live on campus.
- The 40,000-square foot Brandt Student Center, opened in May 2008, is the hub of student activities.
- Over 200 indoor and outdoor security cameras are interspersed among the public venues of the Shenandoah University campuses.
Financial Aid
- Approximately 80% of students apply for federal or state financial aid at Shenandoah University.
- In 2024-2025 Shenandoah University distributed nearly $90,000,000 in financial aid.
- More than 2,200 students received university-sponsored scholarships and grants totaling nearly $30,000,000.
- Over 1,200 awards totaling more than $7,000,000 from the VTAG program were disbursed in 2024-2025.
- Virginia United Methodist students who are members of the Virginia Annual Conference are usually eligible for a United Methodist scholarship.
- Selected conservatory students received talent awards.
- There are many merit and need-based scholarships available for eligible Shenandoah University undergraduate students.
- Students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online to be eligible for a full financial aid package.