Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The commonwealth legislated the State Normal School for "the education and training of teachers" in the seventh district (seven counties) to be in Shippensburg,[4] and in 1871 the cornerstone was laid[5] for the 212 ft (65 m) building[5] designated the "Cumberland Valley State Normal School".

On November 12, 1982, the governor of the Commonwealth signed Senate Bill 506 establishing the State System of Higher Education.

Several club sports, such as rugby (Men & Women), Ultimate Frisbee and the inline hockey team, also participate in independent leagues.

The home venue of the university's football and track & field programs is Seth Grove Stadium.

The team name is the Raiders, and the mascot is "Big Red," a red-tail hawk wearing a pirates hat.