Catawba College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Catawba College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or SU? 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 Catawba College than SU ($18,447 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 7.9% lower than at Catawba College ($12,490 vs. $13,565).
• Shenandoah University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $2,650 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at SU than at Catawba College (about $2,650 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($30,808 vs. $24,747).

Catawba College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 50 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 16.7% at SU.

Catawba College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University and Catawba College graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Shenandoah University and Catawba College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 60%)

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.