Catawba College vs. NSU

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

Catawba College NSU
Location Salisbury, NC Norfolk, VA
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,172 5,783
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #1008
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College NSU
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $16,920
Room & Board $11,576 $10,844
Avg Net Price $19,701 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Catawba College NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 8,884
Admitted 2,146 7,951
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 89.5%
Enrolled % 13.9% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 15/20
SAT Range 1000/1210 840/1040
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 May 31, 2025

Academics

Catawba College NSU
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%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Catawba College NSU
Graduation Rate 54% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $320

Diversity

Catawba College NSU
% Men 48% 33%
% Women 52% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 69% 5%
% Black 19% 84%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Catawba College NSU
% In-State 61% 65%
% Out-of-State 34% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (5,783 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or NSU?

  • Catawba College is 471.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.3% higher at Catawba College than Norfolk State University ($32,868.00 vs. $16,920.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Catawba College ($14,652 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 6.8% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,844 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Norfolk State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 121.3% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($26,913 vs. $12,164)

Catawba College vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Catawba College (990) is 182 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Catawba College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or NSU? 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 NSU and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Norfolk State University (54% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $5,300 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $36,700)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $6,000 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($258 vs. $320)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 27%)

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