DSC vs. Shorter

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Shorter University in Rome, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Shorter based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Shorter University is in Rome, GA (Small City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Shorter University 14:1.

DSC vs. Shorter Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Shorter? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dalton State College than Shorter ($5,625 vs. $16,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 4.8% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,920 vs. $10,419).
• Shorter University is 638.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $21,294 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.1% higher at Shorter than at Dalton State College (about $13,974 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University than at Dalton State College (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shorter University students is 183.5% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($18,862 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Shorter Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Shorter? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shorter and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShorter University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShorter University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Shorter - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; Shorter Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shorter students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Shorter Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Shorter? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Shorter University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $13,531 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($14,887 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($153 vs. $293).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.