Catawba College vs. Lee University

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

Catawba College Lee University
Location Salisbury, NC Cleveland, TN
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,172 3,927
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #787
Religious Affiliation - Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Lee University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $21,000
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $21,000
Room & Board $11,576 $8,840
Avg Net Price $19,701 $19,726
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $14,042
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Catawba College Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 2,014
Admitted 2,146 1,462
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 72.6%
Enrolled % 13.9% 35.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 19/27
SAT Range 1000/1210 1010/1240
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

Academics

Catawba College Lee University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Lee University
Graduation Rate 54% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Catawba College Lee University
% Men 48% 39%
% Women 52% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 79%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Catawba College Lee University
% In-State 61% 48%
% Out-of-State 34% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Lee University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,927 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

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

  • Catawba College is 56.5% more expensive to attend than Lee University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.5% higher at Catawba College than Lee University ($32,868.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Lee University ($19,701 vs. $19,726)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 31% lower than costs at Catawba College ($8,840 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Lee University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 91.7% larger than aid received Lee University ($26,913 vs. $14,042)

Catawba College vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 98 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Catawba College (3.64)
  • Lee University has a higher acceptance rate (72.6%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Lee University (54% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $4,900 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lee University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 60%)

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