Catawba College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Tennessee Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,198 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University than Catawba College ($15,125 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 30.3% lower than at Catawba College ($9,458 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $3,486 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Catawba College than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $3,486 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students ($30,808 vs. $24,692).

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 140 points higher than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030).
• Incoming Catawba College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Tennessee Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Tennessee Wesleyan University (3.5).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Tennessee Wesleyan University (68.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University's (44%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.