Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Arcadia University: which has better ROI?
Arcadia University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,864 in 11.8 years versus 11.9 years at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $58,336 vs $56,351 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Arcadia University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,726 | $29,466 |
| Total net cost | $94,904 | $117,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,351 | $58,336 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 11.9 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $64,916 | $81,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Arcadia University?
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, at $23,726 a year after aid versus $29,466 — a gap of $5,740 a year, or $22,960 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Arcadia University graduates earn more?
Arcadia University graduates report a median $58,336 ten years after entry, $1,985 more than the $56,351 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Arcadia University?
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arcadia University, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Arcadia University, against 56% at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.