Catawba College vs. Chatham

Should I go to Catawba College or Chatham University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or Chatham 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.

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Catawba College vs. Chatham University comparison
Catawba College Chatham University College 3 College 4
Catawba College Chatham University
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Overview

Catawba College Chatham
Location Salisbury, NC Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,172 2,387
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #288
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu chatham.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Chatham
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $40,625
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $40,625
Room & Board $11,576 $12,719
Avg Net Price $19,701 $28,322
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $27,330
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Catawba College Chatham
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 3,514
Admitted 2,146 2,331
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 66.3%
Enrolled % 13.9% 13.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.86
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 21/29
SAT Range 1000/1210 1060/1270
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 Chatham
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Chatham
Graduation Rate 54% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $211

Diversity

Catawba College Chatham
% Men 48% 25%
% Women 52% 75%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 72%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

Catawba College Chatham
% In-State 61% 70%
% Out-of-State 34% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Chatham University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,387 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Chatham?

  • Chatham University is 23.6% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($40,625.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.6% higher at Chatham than Catawba College ($40,625.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Chatham ($19,701 vs. $28,322)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 9.9% lower than costs at Chatham University ($11,576 vs. $12,719)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as Chatham University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 1.5% larger than aid received Catawba College ($27,330 vs. $26,913)

Catawba College vs. Chatham Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Catawba College (3.64)
  • Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (67.1%) than Chatham (66.3%)

Catawba College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or Chatham? 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 Chatham and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Chatham is higher than Catawba College (60% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $5,300 more per year than Chatham graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $36,700)
  • Chatham University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Chatham graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($211 vs. $258)
  • More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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