LSUA vs. Ship

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University Alexandria is larger than Ship based on total student enrollment (6,815 students vs. 5,161 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1.

LSUA vs. Ship Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or Ship? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than Ship ($8,296 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 28.1% lower than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ($9,598 vs. $13,340).
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is 94.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $6,670 more per year; $13,720.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Ship than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $1,324 more per year; $15,974.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($7,561 vs. $6,756).

LSUA vs. Ship Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or Ship? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ship and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Louisiana State University Alexandria (1100) is the same as at Ship (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; Ship - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Ship students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Ship (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 17.5% at Ship.

LSUA vs. Ship Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and Ship? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $7,293 lower median loan debt than Ship graduates ($17,707 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ship graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.