Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Shorter University #1064 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,726 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shorter University in the 65.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $54,008, placing Shorter University in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Shorter University #1064 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Rome, Georgia, Shorter University enrolls roughly 1,028 undergraduates. The six-year graduation rate is 37.7%, and first-year retention stands at 60.5%. Where Shorter University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Shorter University #907 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,726 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shorter University in the 65.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strong earnings performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business and related fields that lead directly into stable, well-paying careers. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Shorter University sits in the 20.5 percentile for access and the 61.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes rank in the 18.8 percentile. For students who qualify for admission and can manage the upfront cost, Shorter University delivers meaningful long-term financial returns through its focused academic portfolio and strong graduate earnings in business and related disciplines.
Shorter University's published cost of attendance is $35,726. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $15,929, middle-income families pay around $22,944, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,898. Azimuth ranks Shorter University #543 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Shorter University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to reduce the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to support access across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,793; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,008, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Shorter University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in GA, South. The institution's program mix leans heavily toward Business, which represents 26% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,008, placing Shorter University in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,726 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 65.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 37.5% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 35.4% identifying as first-generation. These figures track GA's regional labor market and represent meaningful returns relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program concentration favors Business over other fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Shorter University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Shorter University's published cost of attendance is $35,726. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $15,929, middle-income families pay around $22,944, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,898.
Azimuth ranks Shorter University #543 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Shorter University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to reduce the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to support access across income levels.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,793; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,008, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Shorter University earn median 4-year earnings of $54,008, placing the institution in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,726 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Shorter University in the 65.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Shorter University #907 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 56 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,873, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies and Kinesiology round out the top cohorts, with Kinesiology graduates earning $42,558 and performing at 0.8x benchmark.
Nursing and Teacher Education complete the five largest programs, with Nursing graduates earning $75,924 and Teacher Education graduates earning $49,864. The concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — aligns with strong early-career outcomes and stable career pathways for graduates entering professional and applied fields.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
19 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
56 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
10 graduates
Human Services, General
15 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
16 graduates
Shorter University's program mix is anchored in Business and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 56 graduates, followed by Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Kinesiology, Nursing, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 225 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The strongest earnings performers reflect the institution's applied-business orientation.
Nursing graduates earn median earnings of $75,924 four years after enrollment, while Business Administration graduates earn $63,873 and Human Services, General graduates earn $50,113. Teacher Education and Psychology, General round out the higher-earning cohort with graduates earning $49,864 and $46,272 respectively.
These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable professional roles immediately after degree completion. The program portfolio emphasizes career-ready credentials in fields with consistent regional hiring demand.
Business Administration, the largest program, pairs substantial enrollment with earnings of $63,873, while Kinesiology and Nursing deliver four-year earnings of $42,558 and $75,924 respectively. This concentration in applied fields supports Shorter University's positioning as a professional-outcomes-focused institution in the Rome, Georgia region.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warner University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#29409 ranked) | FL | 43% | $46,086 | #29409 | Compare |
Alice Lloyd College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#29408 ranked) | KY | 75% | $40,573 | #29408 | Compare |
Lenoir-Rhyne University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#29407 ranked) | NC | 85% | $45,543 | #29407 | Compare |
Marietta College Similar quality tier (#29420 ranked) | OH | 79% | $57,180 | #29420 | Compare |
Drake University Similar quality tier (#29405 ranked) | IA | 64% | $71,901 | #29405 | Compare |
