- Shorter College is a private, historically black, liberal arts junior college in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the only private historically black junior college in the United States.
School Highlights
Shorter College serves 502 students (92% of students are full-time).
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 39%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 502 students
- Minority enrollment: 79%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Shorter College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Shorter College
(AR) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
n/a
165 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Shorter College has grown by 125% over five years.
The Shorter College diversity score of 0.59 is more than the state average of 0.58. The school's diversity has grown by 148% over five years.
Total Enrollment
502 students
1,653 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
13:1
# Full-Time Students
461 students
595 students
# Part-Time Students
41 students
1,058 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
502 students
194 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
461 students
595 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
15 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
41 students
1,055 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
38 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
160 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
13%
2%
% Hispanic
2%
11%
% Black
59%
18%
% White
21%
61%
% Hawaiian
3%
1%
% Two or more races
1%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
1%
Diversity Score
0.59
0.58
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
11%
36%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
31%
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
94%
Median Debt for Graduates
$24,493
$9,596
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$5,300
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
SAT Reading
n/a
540
SAT Math
n/a
520
SAT Writing
n/a
515
ACT Composite
n/a
22
ACT English
n/a
22
ACT Math
n/a
21
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shorter College's ranking?
Shorter College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Arkansas for: Diversity in US community colleges and Average community college minority breakdown.
Recent Articles
Community College Policies and Financial Aid Guide 2026
A 2026 guide to community college policies and financial aid, including FAFSA updates, state aid, tuition rules, and smart planning tips.
Get Better Grades in Community College by Being Social (2026 Update)
Learn how being social in community college boosts grades, retention, and career success. Updated 2026 strategies for academic achievement.
Navigating Community College as an Adult Learner in 2026
A practical 2026 guide for adults returning to community college, covering admissions, financial aid, career planning, and flexible learning options.
