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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Juniata College: which has better ROI?

Public, Shippensburg PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Huntingdon PA

The verdict

Juniata College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,952 in 11.2 years versus 11.9 years at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $56,918 vs $56,351 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureShippensburg University of PennsylvaniaJuniata College
Net price / yr$23,726$23,988
Total net cost$94,904$95,952
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,351$56,918
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback11.9 yrs11.2 yrs
20-year net return$64,916$75,208

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Juniata College?

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, at $23,726 a year after aid versus $23,988 — a gap of $262 a year, or $1,048 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 Juniata College graduates earn more?

Juniata College graduates report a median $56,918 ten years after entry, $567 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 Juniata College?

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Juniata College, 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?

74% of students finish at Juniata College, 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.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania vs Juniata College: frequently asked questions

Is Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Juniata College a better value?
Juniata College. It clears its $95,952 net cost in about 11.2 years versus 11.9 years at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $56,918 vs $56,351 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Juniata College?
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania: $23,726/yr net price after aid versus $23,988/yr at Juniata College — a difference of $262 a year, or about $1,048 over four years.
Do Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania or Juniata College graduates earn more?
Juniata College graduates earn a median $56,918 ten years after entry, versus $56,351 at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania — a $567 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.