Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Shippensburg University, is a public university in the Shippensburg, Pennsylvania area. It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
1871
155 years old
$77M
$76.7 million (2025)
6,942
302
200 acres
Identity
Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,351 — 5% above average — while paying $23,726/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #97 of 131 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #97 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | 32 | $23,726 | $56,351 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in PA.
Best Programs at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is Computer Engineering at $53,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $24,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earns $53,200, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $24,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,726/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $53,200 | $53,200 | $25,500 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $48,000 | $48,000 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,000 | $48,000 | $25,711 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,000 | $44,000 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $24,000 |
| Marketing | $42,500 | $42,500 | $25,813 |
| Mathematics | $37,500 | $37,500 | $25,521 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $36,500 | $36,500 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,400 | $36,400 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,700 | $34,700 | $26,000 |
| Social Work | $34,300 | $34,300 | $26,081 |
| Journalism | $31,700 | $31,700 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,302 |
| History | $29,400 | $29,400 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,332 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,200 | $26,200 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,542 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,500 | $25,500 | $25,135 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Shippensburg, PA
- Student Body
- 4,086 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,726
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,351
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000