Howard vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Catawba College? 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 Howard ($18,447 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 21.7% lower than at Howard University ($13,565 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $1,510 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Howard than at Catawba College (about $1,510 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($30,808 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Howard students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Howard vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Catawba College? 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard 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.