Catawba College vs. CSU

Should I go to Catawba College or Charleston Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or CSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CofC Lenoir-Rhyne University PC Coastal Carolina GWU Pfeiffer University Clemson Wingate University WSSU UNC Charlotte AU North Greenville University
Catawba College vs. Charleston Southern University comparison
Catawba College Charleston Southern University College 3 College 4
Catawba College Charleston Southern University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Catawba College CSU
Location Salisbury, NC Charleston, SC
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,172 3,418
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #918
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu csuniv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College CSU
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $29,490
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $29,490
Room & Board $11,576 $11,250
Avg Net Price $19,701 $17,536
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $26,417
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Catawba College CSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 4,967
Admitted 2,146 4,309
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 86.8%
Enrolled % 13.9% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 18/23
SAT Range 1000/1210 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Catawba College CSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Catawba College CSU
Graduation Rate 54% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $39,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Catawba College CSU
% Men 48% 36%
% Women 52% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 61%
% Black 19% 26%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Catawba College CSU
% In-State 61% 76%
% Out-of-State 34% 23%

Campus

Catawba College CSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Charleston Southern University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,418 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or CSU?

  • Catawba College is 11.5% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $29,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.5% higher at Catawba College than Charleston Southern University ($32,868.00 vs. $29,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than Catawba College ($17,536 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 2.9% lower than costs at Catawba College ($11,250 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 1.9% larger than aid received Charleston Southern University ($26,913 vs. $26,417)

Catawba College vs. CSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or CSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CSU or Catawba College .

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or CSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CSU and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Charleston Southern University (54% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $2,200 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,800)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/