Catawba College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Catawba College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or SVU? 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 SVU ($18,447 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 27.1% lower than at Catawba College ($9,894 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 61.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $13,020 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at Catawba College than at Southern Virginia University (about $13,020 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 206.8% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($30,808 vs. $10,041).

Catawba College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 70 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Catawba College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SVU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Catawba College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and SVU? 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 Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,346 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.