Sierra Nevada University vs. Catawba College

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

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
Location Incline Village, NV Salisbury, NC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 631 1,172
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #515
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sierranevada.edu catawba.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
Tuition (In State) $34,319 $32,868
Tuition (Out of State) $34,319 $32,868
Room & Board $13,825 $11,576
Avg Net Price - $19,701
Avg Grant Aid $0 $26,913
% Receiving Grant Aid 0% 100%

Admission

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 3,199
Admitted - 2,146
Acceptance Rate 67.1%
Enrolled % 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.64
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/22 18/27
SAT Range 920/1200 1000/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (46%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (8%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
Graduation Rate 37% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,750 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
% Men 37% 48%
% Women 63% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 69%
% Black 3% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 10% 0%

Students

Sierra Nevada University Catawba College
% In-State 21% 61%
% Out-of-State 67% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Catawba College is larger than than Sierra Nevada University based on total student enrollment (1,172 students vs. 631 students)

Sierra Nevada University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sierra Nevada University or Catawba College?

  • Sierra Nevada University is 4.4% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($34,319.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at Sierra Nevada University than Catawba College ($34,319.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 19.4% lower than costs at Sierra Nevada University ($11,576 vs. $13,825)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Sierra Nevada University (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is ?% larger than aid received Sierra Nevada University ($26,913 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Sierra Nevada University (1012) is 22 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Sierra Nevada University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Sierra Nevada University (3.24)

Sierra Nevada University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sierra Nevada 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 Sierra Nevada University.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Sierra Nevada University (54% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Sierra Nevada University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $42,000)
  • Sierra Nevada University students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($24,750 vs. $25,000)
  • Sierra Nevada University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sierra Nevada University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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