Shippensburg is a small borough in Cumberland County in central Pennsylvania, with a population of approximately 5,500 residents, a figure that swells significantly when Shippensburg University is in session. Located in the Cumberland Valley about 40 miles west of Harrisburg and 15 miles east of Chambersburg, Shippensburg has the classic character of a small Pennsylvania college town, with a modest commercial district along King Street and residential neighborhoods that blend student rentals with long-term family homes. The borough is surrounded by the agricultural landscape of the Great Valley and the ridgelines of the Appalachian Mountains, offering outdoor recreation opportunities close to campus. Shippensburg's economy and social life are closely tied to the university, and the rental market is oriented primarily toward students and university employees.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Within the borough and on campus, walking and biking are entirely practical, and many students get through daily life without a car. However, for anything beyond the immediate Shippensburg area - including trips to Carlisle, Harrisburg, or major shopping destinations - a personal vehicle is essentially necessary since there is no public transit.
Browse student housing near each Shippensburg-area university.