Catawba College vs. Middle Tennessee State University

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

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
Location Salisbury, NC Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,172 20,086
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $26,376
Room & Board $11,576 $9,576
Avg Net Price $19,701 $13,062
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $9,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 12,868
Admitted 2,146 9,335
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 72.5%
Enrolled % 13.9% 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 19/26
SAT Range 1000/1210 1020/1230
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 15, 2025

Academics

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 54% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $258 $224

Diversity

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 48% 45%
% Women 52% 55%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 64%
% Black 19% 22%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 61% 89%
% Out-of-State 34% 11%

Campus

Catawba College Middle Tennessee State 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

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Catawba College is 347.5% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.6% higher at Catawba College than Middle Tennessee State University ($32,868.00 vs. $26,376.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Catawba College ($13,062 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 20.9% lower than costs at Catawba College ($9,576 vs. $11,576)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 185.7% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($26,913 vs. $9,421)

Catawba College vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Middle Tennessee State University (1031) is 41 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have at the same average high school GPA (3.64) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64)
  • Middle Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (54% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $300 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $42,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $3,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($21,758 vs. $25,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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