Catawba College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Catawba College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or VWC? 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 VWC ($18,447 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 12.1% lower than at Catawba College ($11,930 vs. $13,565).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $3,200 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at VWC than at Catawba College (about $3,200 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 3% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($30,808 vs. $29,923).

Catawba College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 80 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming VWC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Catawba College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

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.