Catawba College vs. Otterbein University

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

Catawba College Otterbein University
Location Salisbury, NC Westerville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,172 2,458
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #542
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $33,824
Room & Board $11,576 $11,988
Avg Net Price $19,701 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Catawba College Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 3,762
Admitted 2,146 3,148
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 83.7%
Enrolled % 13.9% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 20/27
SAT Range 1000/1210 1035/1260
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

Academics

Catawba College Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 54% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Catawba College Otterbein University
% Men 48% 39%
% Women 52% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 76%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 10%

Students

Catawba College Otterbein University
% In-State 61% 88%
% Out-of-State 34% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Otterbein University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,458 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

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

  • Otterbein University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($33,824.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.9% higher at Otterbein University than Catawba College ($33,824.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Otterbein University ($19,701 vs. $22,661)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 3.6% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,576 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 11.9% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($26,913 vs. $24,060)

Catawba College vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 130 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Catawba College (3.64)
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Catawba College (62% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $42,000)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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