Catawba College vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

Catawba College vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or ECU? 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 East Carolina University than Catawba College ($13,755 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 14.9% lower than at Catawba College ($11,541 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 366% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $26,939 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at Catawba College than at East Carolina University (about $10,662 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 215.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($30,808 vs. $9,776).

Catawba College vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 10 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 17.1% at ECU.

Catawba College vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and ECU? 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $212 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($24,788 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($256 vs. $258).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.