Catawba College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

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

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

Catawba College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University ($18,447 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 1.2% lower than at Catawba College ($13,400 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $2,400 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Catawba College than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $2,400 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Lenoir Rhyne University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($30,808 vs. $23,467).

Catawba College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Catawba College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Lenoir-Rhyne University? 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates of Catawba College and Lenoir-Rhyne University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $42,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.