Shorter vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Shorter University in Rome, GA with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Shorter based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Shorter vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University than Shorter ($16,286 vs. $16,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 6% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($9,920 vs. $10,554).
• Shorter University is 135.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $14,158 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at Shorter than at East Tennessee State University (about $10,108 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shorter University students is 86.7% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($18,862 vs. $10,101).

Shorter vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shorter or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Shorter.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shorter University (1120) is 30 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Shorter).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 1040/1200; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 18/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Shorter (3.25).
• Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Shorter vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $7,918 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($20,500 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($211 vs. $293).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.