Ogelthorpe vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oglethorpe University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,425 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Ogelthorpe vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe ($18,447 vs. $20,490).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 14% lower than at Oglethorpe University ($13,565 vs. $15,780).
• Oglethorpe University is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $13,290 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at Ogelthorpe than at Catawba College (about $13,290 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Oglethorpe University as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($39,054 vs. $30,808).

Ogelthorpe vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oglethorpe University (1200) is 30 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Ogelthorpe students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oglethorpe University 1090/1310; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oglethorpe University 22/31; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ogelthorpe - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ogelthorpe Jul 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ogelthorpe students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Ogelthorpe has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Ogelthorpe vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Ogelthorpe vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ogelthorpe 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Oglethorpe University's (48%).
• Graduates from Oglethorpe University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 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 Ogelthorpe graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ogelthorpe graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ogelthorpe students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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.