Ship vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (5,161 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Ship vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ship or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University than Ship ($11,744 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 3.2% lower than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ($12,916 vs. $13,340).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is 51.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $4,664 more per year; $13,720.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Shepherd University than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $3,108 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 22% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($8,241 vs. $6,756).

Ship vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ship or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University and Ship.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (1100) is 90 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ship - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Ship (3.23).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Ship (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at Ship vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Ship vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ship and Shepherd University? 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).

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $2,777 lower median loan debt than Ship graduates ($22,223 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ship graduates ($229 vs. $258).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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.