Catawba College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Catawba College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Catawba College ($9,124 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 14.6% lower than at Catawba College ($11,591 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 236.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $24,120 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at Catawba College than at Norfolk State University (about $12,618 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 104.6% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($30,808 vs. $15,056).

Catawba College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or NSU? 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 NSU and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 240 points higher than at NSU (930).
• Incoming Catawba College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
• 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 (87.8%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Catawba College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.