Shorter vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Shorter University in Rome, GA with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Shorter based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 1,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Shorter vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College ($16,821 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 15.6% lower than at Wartburg College ($9,920 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shorter (about $1,620 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Wartburg College than at Shorter University (about $1,620 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 113.8% larger than aid received by Shorter University students ($40,336 vs. $18,862).

Shorter vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shorter University (1120) is 50 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Shorter).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 1040/1200; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 18/25; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Shorter (3.25).
• Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Shorter vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and Wartburg College? 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Shorter University's (47%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Wartburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wartburg College graduates have a $1,418 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, Wartburg College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($279 vs. $293).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.