Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
#6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 54% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,351 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,726 D+
- 38% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,408,531.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 80%
- Patents
- 7
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Matters
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Shippensburg, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,086
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 87% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,726 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,351 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 54% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.68 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 87%, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a welcoming option for many students seeking a supportive environment. The school attracts those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Biology & Biomedical. This diverse range of programs means that students can find their passion while benefiting from a community that values learning and growth.
Graduates from Shippensburg see a median earning of $56,351 a decade after finishing their studies. While the graduation rate is 54%, those who do cross the finish line often find stable employment opportunities. The affordability of this education is also noteworthy; for many, the experience is made accessible through financial aid, which helps ease the burden of tuition costs.
When we look at the financial side, the average net price after aid stands at $23,726, with a median debt of $25,000. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are self-motivated and take advantage of the resources available to them. With a focus on practical application and community support, Shippensburg can be a solid stepping stone into the workforce for many.
Rankings
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #8 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #15 Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #28 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1120
- ACT Range
- 16–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,033
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 6,367
- Admitted
- 5,590
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $15,974, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,726. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,720
- Out-of-State
- $15,974
- Avg Net Price
- $23,726
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,709
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,515
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,386
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,387
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earn a median of $56,351, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,010
- 8 Years
- $50,617
- 10 Years
- $56,351
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (523)
- 35%
- 100% (523)
- 35%
- 100% (523)
- 35%
- 100% (523)
- 35%
How Shippensburg Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,726/year ($94,904 total). Graduates earn $56,351 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,503,435 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,408,531 (15.8× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $94,904
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,503,435
- Net Return
- $1,408,531
- ROI Multiple
- 15.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,726
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.38%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $126,354
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 7 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.17%
- Top 80% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 7
- Linked to graduates
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-446,851
Top Programs
The fields Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 25% $60,799 early-career
- Education 10% $53,716 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $43,212 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,884 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $48,945 early-career
- Communications 5% $36,304 early-career
- Engineering 5% $74,862 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $38,867 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $15,974, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,726. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earn a median of $56,351, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · Close peer49% grad $55,933 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT · Close peer56% grad $60,823 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT · Close peer51% grad $59,115 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note