WestConn vs. Ship

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (5,161 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State 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: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1.

WestConn vs. Ship Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University than Ship ($17,185 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are 14.8% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,340 vs. $15,659).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $319 more per year; $13,720.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at WestConn than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $927 more per year; $16,901.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than at Western Connecticut State University (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 90.5% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($12,870 vs. $6,756).

WestConn vs. Ship Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at Ship (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Ship - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Ship (3.23).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Ship (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 17.5% at Ship.

WestConn vs. Ship Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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).

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Ship graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and WestConn graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and WestConn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.