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Reinhardt University Truett-McConnell College KSU Berry College| Shorter University | Columbia College | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
| Location | Rome, GA | Columbia, SC | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,447 | 1,572 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #977 | #914 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | shorter.edu | columbiasc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $23,514 | $20,650 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $23,514 | $20,650 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,784 | $8,550 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,692 | $23,920 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $18,168 | $13,961 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 98% |
Admission |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 783 | 2,163 | ||
| Admitted | 759 | 2,072 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.9% | 95.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 35.4% | 9.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.25 | 3.56 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 14/18 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 850/1140 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 25, 2025 |
Academics |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
| Graduation Rate | 47% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $49,300 | $34,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 38% | 43% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $28,418 | $25,264 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $293 | $261 |
Diversity |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 5% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 55% | ||
| % Black | 24% | 34% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 81% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 16% | 16% | ||
Campus |
Shorter | Columbia College | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbia College is larger than than Shorter based on total student enrollment (1,572 students vs. 1,447 students)
Shorter vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Shorter or Columbia College?
- Shorter University is 13.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($23,514.00 vs. $20,650.00)
- Out of state tuition is 13.9% higher at Shorter than Columbia College ($23,514.00 vs. $20,650.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shorter University than Columbia College ($16,692 vs. $23,920)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.4% lower than costs at Shorter University ($8,550 vs. $9,784)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Shorter University than Columbia College (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Shorter University students is 30.1% larger than aid received Columbia College ($18,168 vs. $13,961)
Shorter vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Shorter or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Shorter .
- The average SAT score at Columbia College (971) is 2 points higher than at Shorter (969)
- Incoming Shorter students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Columbia College (21)
- Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Shorter (3.25)
- Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Columbia College (95.8%)
Shorter vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Shorter or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and Shorter.
- The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Shorter University (50% vs. 47%)
- Graduates from Shorter University earn on average $14,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $34,700)
- Columbia College students graduate with a $3,154 lower median federal student loan debt than Shorter graduates. ($25,264 vs. $28,418)
- Columbia College graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than Shorter graduates. ($261 vs. $293)
- More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 38%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/