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Ferris State University Lenoir-Rhyne University West Virginia University Tech Frostburg State University Millersville University of Pennsylvania Pfeiffer University Ship Wingate University Kutztown University of Pennsylvania WSSU UNC Charlotte WVU| Catawba College | Shepherd University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
| Location | Salisbury, NC | Shepherdstown, WV | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 1,172 | 3,235 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #515 | #866 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | catawba.edu | shepherd.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $32,868 | $6,288 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $32,868 | $15,774 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,576 | $10,987 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,701 | $9,827 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,913 | $7,328 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 93% |
Admission |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,199 | 1,690 | ||
| Admitted | 2,146 | 1,620 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.1% | 95.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.9% | 34.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.64 | 3.6 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/27 | 19/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 1000/1210 | 930/1170 | ||
| 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 | Shepherd University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 46% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,000 | $41,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $22,223 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $229 |
Diversity |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 48% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 52% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 64% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 34% | 35% | ||
Campus |
Catawba College | Shepherd University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Shepherd University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 1,172 students)
Catawba College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Shepherd University?
- Catawba College is 422.7% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $6,288.00)
- Out of state tuition is 108.4% higher at Catawba College than Shepherd University ($32,868.00 vs. $15,774.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Catawba College ($9,827 vs. $19,701)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 5.4% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,987 vs. $11,576)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Shepherd University (100% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 267.3% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($26,913 vs. $7,328)
Catawba College vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Catawba College .
- The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 5 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
- Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
- Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Shepherd University (3.6)
- Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Catawba College (67.1%)
Catawba College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Catawba College or Shepherd 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 Shepherd University and Catawba College.
- The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Shepherd University (54% vs. 46%)
- Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $500 more per year than Shepherd University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $41,500)
- Shepherd University students graduate with a $2,777 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($22,223 vs. $25,000)
- Shepherd University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($229 vs. $258)
- More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/