Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
JMU Lenoir-Rhyne University University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Pfeiffer University Wingate University WSSU Mason| Catawba College | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Catawba College | SU | ||
| Location | Salisbury, NC | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,172 | 4,260 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #515 | #537 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | catawba.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Catawba College | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $32,868 | $33,790 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $32,868 | $33,790 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,576 | $11,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,701 | $26,143 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,913 | $23,467 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Catawba College | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,199 | 2,296 | ||
| Admitted | 2,146 | 1,845 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.1% | 80.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.9% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.64 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/27 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1000/1210 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Catawba College | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Catawba College | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,000 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $258 |
Diversity |
Catawba College | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 48% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 52% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 13% |
Students |
Catawba College | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 34% | 48% | ||
Campus |
Catawba College | SU | ||
| 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
- Shenandoah University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 1,172 students)
Catawba College vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or SU?
- Shenandoah University is 2.8% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $32,868.00)
- Out of state tuition is 2.8% higher at SU than Catawba College ($33,790.00 vs. $32,868.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than SU ($19,701 vs. $26,143)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 3.1% lower than costs at Catawba College ($11,230 vs. $11,576)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 14.7% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($26,913 vs. $23,467)
Catawba College vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or Catawba College .
- The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 15 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
- Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
- 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 (80.4%) than Catawba College (67.1%)
Catawba College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Catawba College or SU? 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 SU and Catawba College.
- The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Shenandoah University (54% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $42,000)
- Shenandoah University and Catawba College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
- Shenandoah University and Catawba College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($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/