Shorter University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$44,604
in 2021-9% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings declined 9% since 2008 — a concerning downward trend
- •Net price increased 36% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate declined by 17 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 55% | $6,625 |
| 1999 | — | — | 48% | $6,625 |
| 2000 | — | — | 42% | $6,625 |
| 2001 | — | — | 46% | $6,625 |
| 2002 | — | — | 52% | $6,625 |
| 2003 | — | — | 48% | $7,500 |
| 2004 | — | — | 48% | $7,500 |
| 2005 | — | — | 46% | $9,075 |
| 2006 | — | — | 51% | $7,406 |
| 2007 | — | — | 46% | $6,625 |
| 2008 | $49,200 | — | 47% | $7,500 |
| 2009 | — | — | 50% | $9,500 |
| 2010 | $46,300 | $12,238 | 54% | $9,500 |
| 2011 | — | $14,411 | 51% | $9,500 |
| 2012 | $43,000 | $14,779 | 47% | $12,500 |
| 2013 | $43,600 | $16,692 | 47% | $17,771 |
| 2014 | $44,200 | $17,121 | 46% | $20,949 |
| 2015 | $43,200 | $19,316 | 45% | $21,125 |
| 2016 | — | $18,864 | 46% | $20,469 |
| 2017 | — | $18,019 | 37% | $19,000 |
| 2018 | — | $19,439 | 40% | $16,168 |
| 2019 | — | $19,795 | 46% | $15,000 |
| 2020 | — | $19,495 | 37% | $14,250 |
| 2021 | $44,604 | $17,871 | 43% | $12,500 |
| 2022 | — | $16,638 | 37% | — |
| 2023 | — | $15,271 | 32% | — |
| 2024 | — | $16,286 | 37% | — |
| 2025 | — | $16,646 | 38% | — |