Shorter vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Shorter University in Rome, GA with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Shorter based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Shorter vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Shorter ($15,347 vs. $16,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 21.3% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($9,920 vs. $12,604).
• Shorter University is 135.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $14,182 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at Shorter than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $6,118 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shorter University students is 87.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($18,862 vs. $10,038).

Shorter vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shorter University (1120) is 10 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Shorter).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 1040/1200; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 18/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Shorter (3.25).
• Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Shorter vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $7,626 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($20,792 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($214 vs. $293).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.