Jacksonville State University vs. Catawba College

Should I go to Jacksonville State University or Catawba College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jacksonville State University or Catawba College 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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Jacksonville State University vs. Catawba College comparison
Jacksonville State University Catawba College College 3 College 4
Jacksonville State University Catawba College
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Overview

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Location Jacksonville, AL Salisbury, NC
Setting Small Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 9,632 1,172
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #515
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu catawba.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $32,868
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $32,868
Room & Board $8,640 $11,576
Avg Net Price $11,953 $19,701
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $26,913
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 3,199
Admitted 9,863 2,146
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 67.1%
Enrolled % 19.7% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 18/27
SAT Range 940/1200 1000/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Graduation Rate 32% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $258

Diversity

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
% Men 40% 48%
% Women 60% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 69%
% Black 22% 19%
% Hispanic 1% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
% In-State 72% 61%
% Out-of-State 25% 34%

Campus

Jacksonville State University Catawba College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Jacksonville State University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (9,632 students vs. 1,172 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or Catawba College?

  • Catawba College is 229% more expensive to attend than Jacksonville State University for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $9,990.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.8% higher at Catawba College than Jacksonville State University ($32,868.00 vs. $19,950.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than Catawba College ($11,953 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 34% lower than costs at Catawba College ($8,640 vs. $11,576)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University as Catawba College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 165.9% larger than aid received Jacksonville State University ($26,913 vs. $10,123)

Jacksonville State University vs. Catawba College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Jacksonville State University (1062) is 72 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Jacksonville State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43)
  • Jacksonville State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Jacksonville State University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University or Catawba College? 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 Catawba College and Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Jacksonville State University (54% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $5,000 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,000)
  • Jacksonville State University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
  • Jacksonville State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 39%)

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