Shorter vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Shorter University in Rome, GA with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Shorter based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Shorter vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Shorter ($12,236 vs. $16,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 7.4% lower than at Shorter University ($9,182 vs. $9,920).
• Shorter University is 128.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $13,870 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Shorter than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $3,412 more per year; $24,630.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shorter University students is 111.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($18,862 vs. $8,904).

Shorter vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shorter University (1120) is 20 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken 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; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 18/25; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shorter students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Shorter vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $2,418 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($268 vs. $293).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.