Catawba College vs. North Carolina Central University

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

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
Location Salisbury, NC Durham, NC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,172 7,553
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #940
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $16,764
Room & Board $11,576 $11,864
Avg Net Price $19,701 $13,708
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $16,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 8,423
Admitted 2,146 7,107
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 84.4%
Enrolled % 13.9% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 15/23
SAT Range 1000/1210 810/1130
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 1, 2025

Academics

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 54% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $320

Diversity

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
% Men 48% 30%
% Women 52% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 69% 6%
% Black 19% 81%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Catawba College North Carolina Central University
% In-State 61% 65%
% Out-of-State 34% 29%

Campus

Catawba College North Carolina Central 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

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or North Carolina Central University?

  • Catawba College is 781.7% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 96.1% higher at Catawba College than North Carolina Central University ($32,868.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than Catawba College ($13,708 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 2.5% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($11,576 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 66.5% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($26,913 vs. $16,168)

Catawba College vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Catawba College (990) is 111 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Catawba College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than North Carolina Central University (54% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $6,800 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $35,200)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $6,000 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($258 vs. $320)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 23%)

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