Drexel vs. Ship

Comparable Facts

Compare Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Ship based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 5,161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drexel University 9:1; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1.

Drexel vs. Ship Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel or Ship? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than Drexel ($23,772 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are 26.3% lower than at Drexel University ($13,340 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 354.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ship (about $48,692 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $13,720.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 290.7% higher at Drexel than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $46,438 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 418.8% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($35,051 vs. $6,756).

Drexel vs. Ship Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel or Ship? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ship and Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 240 points higher than at Ship (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Ship - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Ship (3.23).
• Ship has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 17.5% at Ship.

Drexel vs. Ship Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel and Ship? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's (60%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $30,200 more per year than Ship graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,243 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Ship graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($258 vs. $271).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ship students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.