Pfeiffer University vs. Carlow University

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or Carlow University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer University or Carlow University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Pfeiffer University vs. Carlow University comparison
Pfeiffer University Carlow University College 3 College 4
Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Location Misenheimer, NC Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Distant Rural Large City
Enrollment 1,076 2,104
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #752
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu carlow.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $32,402
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $32,402
Room & Board $12,520 $13,014
Avg Net Price $21,575 $17,437
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $26,713
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 1,124
Admitted 897 1,042
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 92.7%
Enrolled % 18.4% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 891/1165 850/1100
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

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Graduation Rate 45% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $41,900
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $231 $279

Diversity

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
% Men 39% 14%
% Women 61% 86%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 52% 61%
% Black 21% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 15% 8%

Students

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
% In-State 72% 88%
% Out-of-State 24% 11%

Campus

Pfeiffer University Carlow University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Carlow University is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (2,104 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or Carlow University?

  • Carlow University is 1.4% more expensive to attend than Pfeiffer University for in-state tuition ($32,402.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Carlow University than Pfeiffer University ($32,402.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carlow University than Pfeiffer University ($17,437 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pfeiffer University are 3.9% lower than costs at Carlow University ($12,520 vs. $13,014)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than Carlow University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 7.2% larger than aid received Pfeiffer University ($26,713 vs. $24,926)

Pfeiffer University vs. Carlow University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Carlow University (972) is 41 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming Carlow University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University and Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Carlow University is higher than Pfeiffer University (51% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Carlow University earn on average $800 more per year than Pfeiffer University graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $41,100)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $4,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Carlow University graduates. ($22,399 vs. $27,000)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $48 less per month on federal student loans than Carlow University graduates. ($231 vs. $279)
  • More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pfeiffer University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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