Location: Rome, GA•In-State Tuition: $24,044•Admission Rate: 97%•Avg SAT: 1075
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$61,318
Est. from GA median (15 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,860
Est. from national median (94 programs)

Analysis

Computing programs in Georgia show dramatic variation—from Georgia Tech's $105,137 to outcomes closer to the state median—and Shorter's computer science degree appears positioned in the middle tier. Based on comparable programs statewide, graduates can expect first-year earnings around $61,318, which aligns almost exactly with the national median for computing bachelor's degrees. That's solid territory for an entry-level tech salary, though it trails the state's flagship programs by a significant margin.

The estimated $25,860 in debt produces a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. That's actually slightly below the typical debt load for computing programs nationally ($25,000) and well below Georgia's state median ($27,670). For a field where employers care more about skills and projects than pedigree, this debt load won't constrain career options early on.

The practical question is whether Shorter provides the technical training and recruitment pipelines that justify even mid-tier outcomes. With earnings estimates derived from peer programs rather than this school's specific track record, you're betting on Shorter matching what similar Georgia institutions typically deliver. If your child can build a strong portfolio and access internships in Atlanta's tech market, the debt-to-earnings picture works. But without visibility into actual graduate outcomes, confirm that career services actively connects students to employers who hire beyond the local market.

Where Shorter University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Shorter University (estimated ±10%)Other computer and information sciences programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (26 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Shorter UniversityRome$24,044$61,318*—$25,860*—
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta$11,764$105,137*$127,253$21,125*0.20
Spelman CollegeAtlanta$30,058$98,692*——*—
University of West GeorgiaCarrollton$5,971$69,653*$86,652$26,823*0.39
Strayer University-GeorgiaChamblee$13,920$67,315*$77,481$50,737*0.75
Georgia State UniversityAtlanta$8,478$65,439*$79,310$26,000*0.40
National Median—$61,322*—$25,000*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Shorter University, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.