Catawba College vs. Liberty University

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

Catawba College Liberty University
Location Salisbury, NC Lynchburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,172 96,709
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #852
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu liberty.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Liberty University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $21,374
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $21,374
Room & Board $11,576 $12,350
Avg Net Price $19,701 $29,913
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $12,471
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Catawba College Liberty University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 30,943
Admitted 2,146 30,723
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 99.3%Open
Enrolled % 13.9% 19.9%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 21/29
SAT Range 1000/1210 1040/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Catawba College Liberty 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%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (17%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Liberty University
Graduation Rate 54% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,166
Median Loan Payment $258 $249

Diversity

Catawba College Liberty University
% Men 48% 41%
% Women 52% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 69% 46%
% Black 19% 13%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 31%

Students

Catawba College Liberty University
% In-State 61% 22%
% Out-of-State 34% 76%

Campus

Catawba College Liberty 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

  • Liberty University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (96,709 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

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

  • Catawba College is 53.8% more expensive to attend than Liberty University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $21,374.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.8% higher at Catawba College than Liberty University ($32,868.00 vs. $21,374.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Liberty University ($19,701 vs. $29,913)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 6.7% lower than costs at Liberty University ($11,576 vs. $12,350)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Liberty University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 115.8% larger than aid received Liberty University ($26,913 vs. $12,471)

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Liberty University (1070) is 80 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Liberty University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Liberty University (3.56)
  • Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Liberty University (54% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $2,900 more per year than Liberty University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,100)
  • Liberty University students graduate with a $834 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($24,166 vs. $25,000)
  • Liberty University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($249 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 36%)

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