Shorter University
Shorter University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Shorter University at a Glance
Shorter University is a private Baptist university in Rome, Georgia. It was founded in 1873 and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through six colleges and schools. In addition, Shorter operates the Robert H. Ledbetter College of Business and the School of Nursing at off-campus facilities in the Rome area.
1873
153 years old
$27M
US$ 27 million
1,410
1,306 undergrad · 104 grad
388
Identity
Is Shorter University Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Shorter University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,604 — 17% below average — while paying $16,646/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 56% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Shorter University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Shorter University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #52 of 93 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #52 | Shorter University | 25 | $16,646 | $44,604 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Shorter University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in GA.
Best Programs at Shorter University
The highest-earning program at Shorter University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Shorter University earns $57,200, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $25,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $21,317 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,646/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,200 | $57,200 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,600 | $47,600 | $38,360 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,500 | $35,500 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,800 | $29,800 | $22,059 |
| Human Services, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $42,585 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,700 | $28,700 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,200 | $25,200 | $21,317 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Rome, GA
- Student Body
- 1,028 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,646
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,604
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000