Ship Start allows area high school students to earn college credits at Shippensburg University for a fraction of the price.
All high school juniors and seniors with proven readiness for college-level work based on a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for Ship Start. SAT, PSAT, and ACT testing is waived. Essay required only if identified by admissions staff, faculty advisor or school counselor.
Ship Start courses are offered during our fall and spring semesters, as well as during our two summer terms. Eligible students who have completed 10th grade can enroll in Ship Start classes as early as August of their junior year.
Tuition is $125 per credit* — that’s a savings of $615 per three-credit class
Benefits of Ship Start
- Save money and time by getting a jump start on your college education.
- Earn credits that count toward your Ship degree or can be transferred to another college of your choice.
- Receive a 63% discount off our standard tuition rates.
- Get prepared for college academics and life so you can make a seamless transition from high school to college.
- Choose from Ship’s diverse courses that are applicable to many programs of study such as English, psychology, communications, sociology, history, mathematics, geography, and science.
- Increase your likelihood of graduation by reducing the time it will take to earn your degree.
Apply Now for Ship Start
General Education Program Courses
Education at a college or university has traditionally had two equally important components — depth and breadth. A liberal, or general education, and the need for it has been based on the ideal that a breadth of knowledge is necessary for an individual to become an informed and literate member of society.
Online Courses Summer 2026
Summer online courses are accelerated and asynchronous. Enrollment is restricted to Ship Start students who have demonstrated success through previous fall or spring enrollment.
Online Courses Fall 2026
For more information, talk to your school counselor or contact Shippensburg University’s Office of Admissions at 717-477-1231 or admissions@ship.edu.
*Plus limited fees and the cost of books and supplies.