ASU vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Catawba College 13:1.

ASU vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Catawba 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 Appalachian State University than Catawba College ($14,978 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 5.1% lower than at Catawba College ($12,868 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 352.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $26,721 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at Catawba College than at Appalachian State University (about $9,088 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 284.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($30,808 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Catawba 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 Catawba College and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 30 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming ASU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

ASU vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Catawba 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $400 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.