Shorter vs. Bluffton University

Should I go to Shorter University or Bluffton University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Shorter or Bluffton University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Overview

Shorter Bluffton University
Location Rome, GA Bluffton, OH
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,447 678
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #977
Religious Affiliation Baptist Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shorter.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shorter Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $23,514 $35,498
Tuition (Out of State) $23,514 $35,498
Room & Board $9,784 $11,866
Avg Net Price $16,692 $21,299
Avg Grant Aid $18,168 $29,291
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Shorter Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 783 2,873
Admitted 759 1,757
Acceptance Rate 96.9% 61.2%
Enrolled % 35.4% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.26
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 17/23
SAT Range 900/1130 920/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 25, 2026

Academics

Shorter Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Shorter Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 47% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,418 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $293 $279

Diversity

Shorter Bluffton University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 5% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 85%
% Black 24% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Shorter Bluffton University
% In-State 81% 79%
% Out-of-State 16% 19%

Campus

Shorter Bluffton University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shorter University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (1,447 students vs. 678 students)

Shorter vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 51% more expensive to attend than Shorter for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $23,514.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51% higher at Bluffton University than Shorter University ($35,498.00 vs. $23,514.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shorter University than Bluffton University ($16,692 vs. $21,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 21.3% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($9,784 vs. $11,866)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Shorter University as Bluffton University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 61.2% larger than aid received Shorter University ($29,291 vs. $18,168)

Shorter vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shorter or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or Shorter .

  • The average SAT score at Bluffton University (972) is 3 points higher than at Shorter (969)
  • Incoming Shorter students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Bluffton University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Shorter (3.25)
  • Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

Shorter vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shorter or Bluffton University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bluffton University and Shorter.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Shorter University (59% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Shorter University earn on average $8,700 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $40,600)
  • Bluffton University students graduate with a $1,418 lower median federal student loan debt than Shorter graduates. ($27,000 vs. $28,418)
  • Bluffton University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Shorter graduates. ($279 vs. $293)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/