Catawba College vs. Saint Francis University

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

Catawba College Saint Francis University
Location Salisbury, NC Loretto, PA
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,172 2,857
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #510
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu francis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College Saint Francis University
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $39,820
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $39,820
Room & Board $11,576 $13,452
Avg Net Price $19,701 $27,459
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $28,453
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Catawba College Saint Francis University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 2,167
Admitted 2,146 1,583
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 73.1%
Enrolled % 13.9% 21.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 20/26
SAT Range 1000/1210 1030/1240
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 Saint Francis University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Catawba College Saint Francis University
Graduation Rate 54% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $54,000
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Catawba College Saint Francis University
% Men 48% 37%
% Women 52% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 69% 46%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 41%

Students

Catawba College Saint Francis University
% In-State 61% 71%
% Out-of-State 34% 27%

Campus

Catawba College Saint Francis 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

  • Saint Francis University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Saint Francis University?

  • Saint Francis University is 21.2% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($39,820.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.2% higher at Saint Francis University than Catawba College ($39,820.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Saint Francis University ($19,701 vs. $27,459)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 16.2% lower than costs at Saint Francis University ($11,576 vs. $13,452)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as Saint Francis University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 5.7% larger than aid received Catawba College ($28,453 vs. $26,913)

Catawba College vs. Saint Francis University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Saint Francis University (1060) is 70 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Saint Francis University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Saint Francis University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Catawba College (3.64)
  • Saint Francis University has a higher acceptance rate (73.1%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Saint Francis University is higher than Catawba College (64% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Saint Francis University earn on average $12,000 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $42,000)
  • Catawba College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Saint Francis University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Catawba College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Saint Francis University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Saint Francis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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