Catawba College vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Guilford College is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Guilford College 12:1.

Catawba College vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Guilford College? 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 Guilford College ($18,447 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 1.2% lower than at Catawba College ($13,400 vs. $13,565).
• Guilford College is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $7,062 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Guilford College than at Catawba College (about $7,062 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Guilford College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($33,419 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 20 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Catawba College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Guilford College (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

Catawba College vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $1,635 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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.