Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 50.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 51.6%
- Retention Rate
- 76.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $56,351
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 72.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,066 | $20,750 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $27,000 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $51,169 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,543 | $26,319 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $49,270 | $26,000 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $49,019 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $48,823 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $48,589 | $23,300 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $47,650 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $46,924 | $28,606 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,407 | $24,518 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Master | $45,696 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $45,408 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $45,383 |
Outcomes Overview
Shippensburg graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $25,000 and earn $43,565 in their first year after graduation. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 sits below the concerning 1.0 threshold that financial experts warn against. Monthly loan payments of $265 consume about 7.3% of typical graduate income, which falls within the recommended 10% limit for student debt. The 96.5% employment rate reflects strong job placement, particularly in education, business, and criminal justice fields where Ship graduates commonly find work. Teachers, police officers, and business professionals from Shippensburg often stay in Pennsylvania, benefiting from the state's established alumni networks. This represents an average return on investment for a regional public university.