Catawba College vs. Elon

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Elon? 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 Elon ($18,447 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 9.5% lower than at Elon University ($13,565 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $12,658 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Elon than at Catawba College (about $12,658 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 72.4% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($30,808 vs. $17,867).

Catawba College vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Catawba College vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.