Catawba College vs. Marshall University

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

Catawba College Marshall University
Location Salisbury, NC Huntington, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,241 11,027
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #825
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $33,400 $7,372
Tuition (Out of State) $33,400 $18,724
Room & Board $12,550 $12,852
Avg Net Price $18,319 $9,734
Avg Grant Aid $29,599 $12,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Catawba College Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,547 6,499
Admitted 1,979 6,269
Acceptance Rate 77.7% 96.5%
Enrolled % 15.6% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 18/24
SAT Range 1010/1186 890/1130
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 Aug 10, 2025

Academics

Catawba College Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Marshall University
Graduation Rate 54% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $258 $239

Diversity

Catawba College Marshall University
% Men 3% 9%
% Women 4% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 84%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Catawba College Marshall University
% In-State 61% 78%
% Out-of-State 34% 22%

Campus

Catawba College Marshall 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

  • Marshall University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (11,027 students vs. 1,241 students)

Catawba College vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

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

  • Catawba College is 353.1% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($33,400.00 vs. $7,372.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.4% higher at Catawba College than Marshall University ($33,400.00 vs. $18,724.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Catawba College ($9,734 vs. $18,319)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 2.4% lower than costs at Marshall University ($12,550 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Marshall University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 146.2% larger than aid received Marshall University ($29,599 vs. $12,024)

Catawba College vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 38 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Catawba College (3.64)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Catawba College (77.7%)

Catawba College vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Marshall University (54% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $1,800 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $40,200)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $1,866 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($23,134 vs. $25,000)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($239 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 43%)

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