Shippensburg U vs Cal U of Pa
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and California University of Pennsylvania, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Shippensburg, with its lower acceptance rate of 78%, fosters a more selective academic environment, while California's 90% acceptance rate reflects its commitment to accessibility. In terms of student body demographics, Shippensburg boasts a slightly larger undergraduate population, while California's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. When it comes to popular majors, Shippensburg excels in fields like Business, Education, and Psychology, while California shines in areas such as Business, Health Professions, and Engineering. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Shippensburg's rate slightly higher at 62% compared to California's 59%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California University of Pennsylvania |
![]() Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | California, Pennsylvania | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 67.0% | 68.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 97.1% | 93.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 940 - 1150 | 970 - 1180 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 38.0% | 40.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,933 | 6,000 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,818 | 5,587 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 815 | 1,024 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 18.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,904
Out of state:
$32,522
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In state:
$28,426
Out of state:
$29,154
|
Average net price | $20,317 | $21,077 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,716
Out of state:
$11,574
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In state:
$9,570
Out of state:
$10,048
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,822
Meal plan:
$3,900
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Room/dormitory:
$7,670
Meal plan:
$4,924
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $6,250 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,330 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
62.0%
Average amount $4,982 |
71.0%
Average amount $5,439 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $9,920 |
19.0%
Average amount $14,569 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,463
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
4,900
Men 47.2% Women 52.8% |
Graduate students |
2,046
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
767
Men 37.5% Women 62.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 13.0% | 10.2% |
International students | 1.0% | 1.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 2,075 | 2,209 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania Ohio New York Maryland New Jersey | Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey Delaware Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 48.4% | 58.0% |
Dropout rate | 23.8% | 12.3% |
Transferred out | 26.0% | 28.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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