Catawba College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Cleveland Institute of Art is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1.

Catawba College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art ($18,447 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 5.3% lower than at Catawba College ($12,850 vs. $13,565).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $15,100 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Catawba College (about $15,100 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Cleveland Institute of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($33,857 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130).
• Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art 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; Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art.

Catawba College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Cleveland Institute of Art? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Art's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($258 vs. $299).
• More Cleveland Institute of Art 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.