Catawba College vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Catawba College vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University than Catawba College ($12,989 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 15.3% lower than at Catawba College ($11,484 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 459.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $28,174 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.4% higher at Catawba College than at Winston Salem State University (about $17,518 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 206.3% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($30,808 vs. $10,057).

Catawba College vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 240 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming Catawba College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Catawba College vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($258 vs. $265).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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.