Ship vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (5,161 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Ship vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ship or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Ship ($11,055 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are 1.3% lower than at West Virginia State University ($13,340 vs. $13,522).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $4,150 more per year; $13,720.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Ship than at West Virginia State University (about $984 more per year; $15,974.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than at West Virginia State University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 33.1% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($8,993 vs. $6,756).

Ship vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (1100) is 200 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ship - Test optional; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Ship (3.23).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Ship (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at Ship vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Ship vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ship and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Ship graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WVSU 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 WVSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 35%)

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.