Catawba College vs. Johnson University

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

Catawba College Johnson University
Location Salisbury, NC Knoxville, TN
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,172 939
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $17,384
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $17,384
Room & Board $11,576 $8,664
Avg Net Price $19,701 $21,012
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $9,423
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 83%

Admission

Catawba College Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 443
Admitted 2,146 280
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 63.2%
Enrolled % 13.9% 58.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 19/24
SAT Range 1000/1210 1000/1175
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Catawba College Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Johnson University
Graduation Rate 54% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $258 $221

Diversity

Catawba College Johnson University
% Men 48% 49%
% Women 52% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 87%
% Black 19% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Catawba College Johnson University
% In-State 61% 55%
% Out-of-State 34% 43%

Campus

Catawba College Johnson 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

  • Catawba College is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (1,172 students vs. 939 students)

Catawba College vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Johnson University?

  • Catawba College is 89.1% more expensive to attend than Johnson University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $17,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.1% higher at Catawba College than Johnson University ($32,868.00 vs. $17,384.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Johnson University ($19,701 vs. $21,012)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 33.6% lower than costs at Catawba College ($8,664 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Johnson University (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 185.6% larger than aid received Johnson University ($26,913 vs. $9,423)

Catawba College vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Johnson University (1035) is 45 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Johnson University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Johnson University (3.52)
  • Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (67.1%) than Johnson University (63.2%)

Catawba College vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or Johnson 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 Johnson University and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is the same as at Johnson University (54% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $10,900 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $31,100)
  • Johnson University students graduate with a $3,620 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($21,380 vs. $25,000)
  • Johnson University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($221 vs. $258)
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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