Catawba College vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Adventist University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Catawba College vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University ($18,447 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 34.4% lower than at Catawba College ($8,900 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $7,000 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at Catawba College than at Southern Adventist University (about $7,000 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 138.7% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($30,808 vs. $12,904).

Catawba College vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 10 points higher than at Southern Adventist University (1160).
• Incoming Southern Adventist University 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; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Catawba College vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($258 vs. $274).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.