Finance and Financial Management Services at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg's finance graduates start behind but catch up quickly—first-year earnings of $47,651 lag both the state median ($57,855) and national average, placing this program in just the 25th percentile among Pennsylvania finance programs. However, the 36% earnings jump to $64,862 by year four tells a different story about long-term outcomes. For context, top programs like Villanova and Saint Joseph's start higher but Shippensburg grads show strong momentum.

The $26,000 median debt matches the state median and sits below the national average, making the financial equation more workable than the rankings suggest. A 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary—manageable by most standards, especially given the rapid earnings growth. The 86% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest this program serves students who might not access Pennsylvania's elite business schools, yet delivers meaningful career advancement.

The gap matters here: Pennsylvania's median finance graduate earns $10,000 more in their first year than Shippensburg alumni. Parents should understand their child will likely start at smaller regional firms or back-office positions rather than major financial centers. But if the alternative is private school debt or out-of-state tuition, Shippensburg's combination of accessible debt and strong earnings trajectory makes it a defensible choice for students building toward mid-career success rather than immediate Wall Street placement.