Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #797 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,481 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in the 34.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #404 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from a wide range of backgrounds. --- Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #797 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a balance of access, mobility, and affordability. The institution's mobility ranking at #404 underscores its ability to support students from diverse economic backgrounds toward durable financial outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #797 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania enrolls roughly 4,086 undergraduates. Retention is 76.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 55.7%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #871 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,882, and earn about $5,481 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in the 34.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Business, which anchors the earnings profile and reflects the university's focus on career-ready degree pathways. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania sits in the 48.1 percentile for access and the 31.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 72.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For cost-conscious students prioritizing long-term earnings and a clear path to stable employment, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania delivers meaningful value through its return-focused academic structure and affordable public-university pricing.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's published cost of attendance is $30,785. Net price varies meaningfully across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,709, middle-income families pay around $21,386, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,387. Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #977 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Shippensburg's affordability profile reflects its public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates how financial aid reshapes the headline cost for many families. Most students receive some form of institutional or federal aid, which helps narrow the out-of-pocket burden relative to the published cost of attendance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,373; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,882, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a strong fit for students interested in business, education, and applied fields who want a public university experience in PA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,882, placing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $5,481 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 34.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 29.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 33.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place it in the 51.8 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 86.5% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business and education fields over STEM-heavy ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive among nonprofit four-year institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's published cost of attendance is $30,785. Net price varies meaningfully across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,709, middle-income families pay around $21,386, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,387.
Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #977 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Shippensburg's affordability profile reflects its public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates how [financial aid reshapes the headline cost](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for many families.
Most students receive some form of institutional or federal aid, which helps narrow the out-of-pocket burden relative to the published cost of attendance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,373; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,882, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Shippensburg University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,882, placing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,481 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in the 34.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania #871 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's concentration in business and applied professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 127 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $68,919, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Digital Marketing program graduates 95 students with median 4-year earnings of $64,955, and Psychology, General delivers median 4-year earnings of $51,607 across 80 graduates.
Biology, General and Criminal Justice round out the top programs, with 4-year earnings of $62,124 and $56,376 respectively. This program mix — anchored in Business — supports consistent mid-career outcomes that align with regional labor-market demand in Pennsylvania.
Computer Engineering
32 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
13 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
33 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
59 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
52 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Mary Washington Similar quality tier (#22622 ranked) | VA | 80% | $60,613 | #22622 |
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's program mix is anchored in business, education, and applied professional fields—a portfolio shaped by the institution's regional public-university identity. Business Administration is the largest program with 127 graduates, followed by Digital Marketing, Psychology, General, Biology, General, and Criminal Justice.
Across 32 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied-business and professional-services fields.
Finance leads with median earnings of $71,432 four years after enrollment across 59 graduates, followed by Accounting with $70,459 and Business Administration with $68,919. Digital Marketing and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $64,955 and $62,124 respectively.
This concentration in business and professional-services pathways aligns with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's positioning as a regional comprehensive university where applied credentials and direct workforce entry are primary outcomes. Several of these programs represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the regional and national labor market directly—particularly in business, accounting, and management-focused fields where employers recruit actively.
Education-related programs, by contrast, are often grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings reflect entry-level teaching or administrative roles and may undercount the trajectory of graduates who pursue advanced credentials. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
University Of Puerto Rico-Carolina Similar quality tier (#22612 ranked) | PR | 55% | $30,626 | #22612 | Compare |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Similar quality tier (#22594 ranked) | MN | 59% | $50,527 | #22594 | Compare |
Northwest Missouri State University Similar quality tier (#22588 ranked) | MO | 86% | $47,885 | #22588 | Compare |
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#22584 ranked) | OK | 65% | $44,358 | #22584 | Compare |
