TU vs. Ship

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Ship based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 5,161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1.

TU vs. Ship Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Ship ($16,653 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are 18% lower than at Towson University ($13,340 vs. $16,260).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $1,992 more per year; $13,720.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.7% higher at TU than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $13,846 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than at Towson University (90% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 75% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($11,820 vs. $6,756).

TU vs. Ship Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (1100) is 10 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Ship - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Ship (3.23).
• Ship has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 17.5% at Ship.

TU vs. Ship Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's (60%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Ship graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Ship graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ship graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.