Catawba College vs. Fayetteville State University

Should I go to Catawba College or Fayetteville State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or Fayetteville State University 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. Fayetteville State University comparison
Catawba College Fayetteville State University College 3 College 4
Catawba College Fayetteville State University
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Overview

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
Location Salisbury, NC Fayetteville, NC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,172 6,787
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #999
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu uncfsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $5,000
Room & Board $11,576 $9,440
Avg Net Price $19,701 $6,355
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $10,050
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 89%

Admission

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 4,116
Admitted 2,146 3,344
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 81.2%
Enrolled % 13.9% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.11
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 14/19
SAT Range 1000/1210 870/1060
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
Graduation Rate 54% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $32,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 28%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,161
Median Loan Payment $258 $229

Diversity

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
% Men 48% 30%
% Women 52% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No Yes
% White 69% 19%
% Black 19% 64%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Catawba College Fayetteville State University
% In-State 61% 84%
% Out-of-State 34% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fayetteville State University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (6,787 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Fayetteville State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Fayetteville State University?

  • Catawba College is 3,186.8% more expensive to attend than Fayetteville State University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 557.4% higher at Catawba College than Fayetteville State University ($32,868.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fayetteville State University than Catawba College ($6,355 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 22.6% lower than costs at Catawba College ($9,440 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Fayetteville State University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 167.8% larger than aid received Fayetteville State University ($26,913 vs. $10,050)

Catawba College vs. Fayetteville State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Catawba College (990) is 120 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (870)
  • Incoming Catawba College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Fayetteville State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11)
  • Fayetteville State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Fayetteville State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or Fayetteville State University? 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 Fayetteville State University and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Fayetteville State University (54% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $9,500 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $32,500)
  • Fayetteville State University students graduate with a $2,839 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($22,161 vs. $25,000)
  • Fayetteville State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($229 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 28%)

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