Shorter vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Shorter University in Rome, GA with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shorter University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,318 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Shorter vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or SWU? 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 Shorter University than SWU ($16,821 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 2% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,920 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shorter (about $5,170 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at SWU than at Shorter University (about $5,170 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Shorter University students ($19,498 vs. $18,862).

Shorter vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shorter or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and Shorter.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Shorter (1120).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Shorter).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Shorter University 1040/1200; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Shorter University 18/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Shorter (3.25).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Shorter (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Shorter vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Shorter University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University graduates have a $1,418 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, SWU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($279 vs. $293).
• More SWU 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.