Shippensburg U vs Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Shippensburg, with an acceptance rate of 86%, welcomes a diverse student body, while Kutztown, with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 79%, fosters a close-knit community. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Shippensburg is renowned for its strong programs in business, education, and social sciences, whereas Kutztown shines in fields like art, music, and technology. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including their graduation rates, popular majors, student demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Overview
Location	Kutztown, Pennsylvania	Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	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	78.0%	68.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	97.3%	93.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $35 Graduate: $35	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45
SAT range	990 - 1200	970 - 1180
ACT range	19 - 23	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	33.0%	40.0%
Students submitting ACT score	1.0%
Total number of applicants	6,698	6,000
Total number of admissions given out	6,514	5,587
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,490	1,024
Yield rate	22.9%	18.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,730 Out of state: $31,838	In state: $28,426 Out of state: $29,154
Average net price	$22,418	$21,077
Tuition	In state: $7,716 Out of state: $11,574	In state: $9,570 Out of state: $10,048
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,740 Meal plan: $4,290	Room/dormitory: $7,670 Meal plan: $4,924
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	97.0% Average amount $6,301	82.0% Average amount $7,330
Students receiving federal student loan	67.0% Average amount $5,365	71.0% Average amount $5,439
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $13,565	19.0% Average amount $14,569

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,695 Men 43.2% Women 56.8%	4,900 Men 47.2% Women 52.8%
Graduate students	978 Men 27.9% Women 72.1%	767 Men 37.5% Women 62.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.1%	10.2%
International students	0.8%	1.4%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	3,658	2,209
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Delaware Maryland	Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey Delaware Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Communication and Journalism Public Administration and Social Service	Education Business Public Administration and Social Service Psychology Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.9%	58.0%
Dropout rate	17.6%	12.3%
Transferred out	27.5%	28.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,402 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $63,286 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,679 Year 2: $42,103 Year 3: $49,735 Social Work (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $40,031 Year 2: $43,493 Year 3: $48,687 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $47,649 Year 2: $45,919 Year 3: $47,691 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,710 Year 2: $39,986 Year 3: $47,345 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,217 Year 2: $35,774 Year 3: $44,446 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,033 Year 2: $41,037 Year 3: $43,788 Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $43,210 Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $43,149 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $37,288 Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $42,964	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,112 Year 2: $65,066 Year 3: $69,428 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,885 Year 2: $49,270 Year 3: $63,277 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,760 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $62,929 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,738 Year 2: $50,543 Year 3: $57,946 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,590 Year 2: $51,169 Year 3: $57,662 Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $57,603 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,062 Year 2: $46,407 Year 3: $53,381 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,401 Year 2: $48,589 Year 3: $52,244 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $47,650 Year 3: $51,160 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,711 Year 2: $45,408 Year 3: $48,779

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Shippensburg University and Kutztown University?

Shippensburg University is generally known for its strong business programs and a more close-knit, community-focused atmosphere. Kutztown University, on the other hand, is recognized for its robust art and design programs, as well as a larger student body and a wider range of academic offerings. Shippensburg is often perceived as more academically rigorous in certain fields, while Kutztown offers a broader selection of extracurricular activities and a more diverse student population.
Which university is larger, Shippensburg or Kutztown?

Kutztown University is larger than Shippensburg University. Kutztown typically has a higher total enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students, compared to Shippensburg.
How do the academic programs compare between Shippensburg and Kutztown?

Shippensburg excels in business, supply chain management, and teacher education. Kutztown is particularly strong in art, design, communications, and education. Both universities offer a range of liberal arts and sciences programs, but their areas of specialization differ. Consider your intended major when making your decision.
What is the campus environment like at Shippensburg versus Kutztown?

Shippensburg offers a more intimate and community-oriented campus environment. It's often described as having a 'small-town' feel. Kutztown, being larger, has a more diverse and bustling campus atmosphere with a wider variety of student organizations and activities. The surrounding town of Kutztown also offers more off-campus entertainment options.
How do the costs of attending Shippensburg and Kutztown compare?

Tuition and fees at Shippensburg and Kutztown are generally comparable, as both are part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, personal expenses, and financial aid packages. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to compare your individual financial aid offers.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Both Shippensburg and Kutztown are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and offer a variety of NCAA Division II athletic programs. Shippensburg is known for its strong track and field program, while Kutztown has a notable football program. Both universities offer a range of other sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The level of competitiveness and the specific sports offered are similar between the two institutions.
Which university is better for students interested in art and design?

Kutztown University is generally considered to be the stronger choice for students interested in art and design. It has a well-established and highly regarded art program with a wide range of specializations, including graphic design, illustration, and fine arts. Shippensburg offers art programs, but they are not as extensive or as highly ranked as those at Kutztown.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Shippensburg and Kutztown offer career services to assist students with internships, job searching, and career planning. Shippensburg's location provides internship opportunities in the Harrisburg area, particularly in government and business. Kutztown's proximity to larger metropolitan areas like Allentown and Reading offers a broader range of internship options in various industries. The quality of career services is generally comparable, but the specific opportunities available may vary depending on your field of study.
What is the location like for each university?

Shippensburg is located in a smaller, more rural town in south-central Pennsylvania. It offers a quieter and more focused academic environment. Kutztown is located in a larger town in eastern Pennsylvania, providing a balance between a college town atmosphere and access to nearby cities. Kutztown's location offers more off-campus entertainment and cultural opportunities.
Which university is better for business majors?

Shippensburg University is often considered a strong choice for business majors, particularly those interested in supply chain management. Its business programs are well-regarded and have a strong reputation within the region. Kutztown also offers business programs, but Shippensburg's are generally perceived as more focused and academically rigorous.

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