Catawba College vs. University of Charleston

Should I go to Catawba College or University of Charleston? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or University of Charleston is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Catawba College vs. University of Charleston comparison
Catawba College University of Charleston College 3 College 4
Catawba College University of Charleston
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Overview

Catawba College University of Charleston
Location Salisbury, NC Charleston, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,172 3,059
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #691
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu ucwv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College University of Charleston
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $31,400
Room & Board $11,576 $10,200
Avg Net Price $19,701 $21,308
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $22,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Catawba College University of Charleston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 1,571
Admitted 2,146 1,064
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 67.7%
Enrolled % 13.9% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.13
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 19/23
SAT Range 1000/1210 985/1160
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

Academics

Catawba College University of Charleston
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Catawba College University of Charleston
Graduation Rate 54% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $211

Diversity

Catawba College University of Charleston
% Men 48% 60%
% Women 52% 40%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 69% 58%
% Black 19% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 22%

Students

Catawba College University of Charleston
% In-State 61% 57%
% Out-of-State 34% 30%

Campus

Catawba College University of Charleston
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

  • University of Charleston is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,059 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or University of Charleston?

  • Catawba College is 4.7% more expensive to attend than University of Charleston for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $31,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.7% higher at Catawba College than University of Charleston ($32,868.00 vs. $31,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than University of Charleston ($19,701 vs. $21,308)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 13.5% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,200 vs. $11,576)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College as University of Charleston (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 20% larger than aid received University of Charleston ($26,913 vs. $22,422)

Catawba College vs. University of Charleston Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or University of Charleston? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Charleston or Catawba College .

  • The average SAT score at University of Charleston (994) is 4 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming University of Charleston students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at University of Charleston (3.13)
  • University of Charleston has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than University of Charleston (54% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn on average $3,200 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $42,000)
  • University of Charleston students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
  • University of Charleston graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($211 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Charleston students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/