Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania · Public · 86.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania scores 50 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The 55.7% completion rate and debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.698 are the weaker signals; the 83.8% repayment rate is a relative positive. Net price of $23,726 reflects moderate aid. The strongest programs are Computer Engineering (21 graduates, $80,574 year-one, B+ grade), Computer and Information Sciences (17 graduates, $74,598 year-one), and Accounting (26 graduates, $58,049 year-one, C+). Management Information Systems earns a C+ (26 graduates, $51,195 year-one). Weaker programs include Biology (D), Social Work (D), History (D), International Relations (D), and Fine Arts (F). The location limits employer proximity for many graduates, who face a longer commute to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia metropolitan labor markets.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,720/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,974/yr |
| Average net price | $23,726/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,904 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,351 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 55.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,086 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $13,720/year ($15,974/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $23,726/year, or roughly $94,904 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $18,709/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,387/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $25,000, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($35,800) and comes to 0.70, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,709 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,515 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,386 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,469 |
| $110,001+ | $28,387 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $18,709 per year at Shippensburg, likely reflecting the net price calculation after all aid sources. Total 4-year cost near $75,000 for the lowest-income bracket is meaningful, and the 55.7% completion rate amplifies the risk for borrowers who do not complete.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $21,386 (48001-75000) and $25,469 (75001-110000) per year. Total 4-year costs are between $86,000 and $102,000. At these prices, computer engineering and accounting students can justify the investment based on program earnings. For students in lower-earning programs, the 11-year aggregate payback stretches the ROI case. The upper-middle bracket pays $25,469 per year.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $28,387 per year - approximately $113,548 over four years. At $35,800 average earnings and an 11-year payback, the full-pay case is weak for the aggregate student. Computer engineering and CS students paying full price recover investment faster, but other programs do not generate earnings that compensate for full near-private pricing at a regional public school.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $64,955 | C |
| Teacher Education | $49,039 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $68,919 | C+ |
| Biology | $62,124 | D |
| Psychology | $51,607 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,376 | C |
| Special Education and Teaching | $50,069 | C |
| Social Work | $49,794 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,330 | D |
| Finance and Financial Management | $71,432 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Engineering
21 graduates, $80,574 year-one, $90,384 year-four, ROI grade B+ with debt-to-earnings 0.335 and median debt $27,000. Computer Engineering is Shippensburg's strongest ROI program: year-one earnings of $80,574 are more than double the institutional median. At PASSHE public pricing with $27,000 median debt, the B+ grade reflects a favorable cost-to-outcome ratio. Graduates enter defense contractors, IT firms, and tech companies in the Mid-Atlantic corridor. Small cohort size (21 graduates) limits statistical precision but the directional signal is strong.
Accounting
26 graduates, $58,049 year-one, $70,459 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.464 and median debt $26,949. Year-one earnings of $58k reflect placement into regional public accounting firms serving central and southeastern Pennsylvania. The C+ grade reflects the dual challenge of moderate debt and adequate but not standout starting earnings.
Management Information Systems
26 graduates, $51,195 year-one, $73,570 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.525 and median debt $26,900. MIS at Shippensburg earns a C+ with a strong four-year trajectory from $51k to $73k - a 43% earnings increase that reflects the career growth pattern of business technology professionals. At public school pricing, this program is financially reasonable. The year-four figure suggests MIS graduates advance into IT management and business analyst roles with meaningful salary progression.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
74 graduates, $49,677 year-one, $68,919 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.522 and median debt $25,919. Business administration is the highest-volume strong program at Shippensburg. At in-state costs, the four-year return on business administration is workable. Students who leverage internships and business development opportunities in the Harrisburg-York-Lancaster corridor will find stronger outcomes than the aggregate suggests.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.6% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.2% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.5% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-28 |
| Enrollment | 4,086 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,033 |
Shippensburg's 86.5% admission rate and ACT range of 16-28 indicate broad access with a wide academic spread. The institution has improved completion efforts in recent years, but the gap between admitted students at the lower academic range and graduation remains a structural challenge.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (this school) | 50 | $23,726 | $56,351 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 52 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Washburn University | 51 | $15,280 | $49,774 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
Who Thrives Here
Shippensburg admits 86.5% of applicants with ACT composite 16-28 range reported; no SAT data. Enrollment is 4,086. The 29.8% Pell rate indicates a moderate share of lower-income students. Students targeting computer science, engineering, or business will find functional programs at low cost.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $23,726 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $56,351 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 11 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $25,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $35,800 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania: Common Questions
Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania scores 50/100 on our ROI scale. At $23,726 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $56,351 ten years after entry, so it takes about 11 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $23,726 a year, or roughly $94,904 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $56,351 ten years after enrolling, roughly $14,551 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 11 years for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $25,000, against average earnings of $35,800 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania?
The six-year graduation rate is 55.7%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.