Ship vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Ship based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 5,161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Ship vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ship or VCU? 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 VCU ($23,772 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are 26.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,340 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ship (about $3,225 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $13,720.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.1% higher at VCU than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $24,135 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than at Virginia Commonwealth University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 110% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($14,186 vs. $6,756).

Ship vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 40 points higher than at Ship (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ship - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Ship (3.23).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Ship (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at Ship vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Ship vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ship and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Ship graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Ship graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ship graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.