Catawba College vs. Austin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Austin College in Sherman, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than Austin College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,217 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Austin College is in Sherman, TX (Small City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Austin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Austin College 11:1.

Catawba College vs. Austin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Austin 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 Catawba College than Austin College ($18,447 vs. $23,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 2.8% lower than at Austin College ($13,565 vs. $13,951).
• Austin College is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $14,380 more per year; $48,680.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at Austin College than at Catawba College (about $14,380 more per year; $48,680.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Austin College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Austin College students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($37,742 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. Austin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Austin College (1210) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Austin College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Austin College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Austin College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Austin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; Austin College Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Austin College (3.63).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Austin College (47.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 14.2% at Austin College.

Catawba College vs. Austin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Austin 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).

• Austin College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Austin College earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Austin College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Austin College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Austin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.