Simpson University vs. Catawba College

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

Simpson University Catawba College
Location Redding, CA Salisbury, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 907 1,241
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #659
Religious Affiliation Christ and Missionary Alliance Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpsonu.edu catawba.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simpson University Catawba College
Tuition (In State) $37,022 $33,400
Tuition (Out of State) $37,022 $33,400
Room & Board $11,900 $12,550
Avg Net Price $28,453 $18,319
Avg Grant Aid $23,842 $29,599
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Simpson University Catawba College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 823 2,547
Admitted 815 1,979
Acceptance Rate 99% 77.7%
Enrolled % 18.5% 15.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 20/25
SAT Range 960/1185 1010/1186
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Simpson University Catawba College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Simpson University Catawba College
Graduation Rate 43% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,668 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $172 $258

Diversity

Simpson University Catawba College
% Men 7% 3%
% Women 9% 4%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 60% 69%
% Black 4% 19%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 12% 0%

Students

Simpson University Catawba College
% In-State 74% 61%
% Out-of-State 23% 34%

Campus

Simpson University Catawba College
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

  • Catawba College is larger than than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (1,241 students vs. 907 students)

Simpson University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University or Catawba College?

  • Simpson University is 10.8% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($37,022.00 vs. $33,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.8% higher at Simpson University than Catawba College ($37,022.00 vs. $33,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Simpson University ($18,319 vs. $28,453)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 5.5% lower than costs at Catawba College ($11,900 vs. $12,550)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Simpson University as Catawba College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 24.1% larger than aid received Simpson University ($29,599 vs. $23,842)

Simpson University vs. Catawba College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Simpson University (1001) is 11 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Simpson University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Simpson University (3.4)
  • Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Catawba College (77.7%)

Simpson University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simpson 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 Simpson University.

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Simpson University (54% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $3,800 more per year than Simpson University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $38,200)
  • Simpson University students graduate with a $8,332 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($16,668 vs. $25,000)
  • Simpson University graduates are paying $86 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($172 vs. $258)
  • More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 60%)

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