Spelman vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Spelman College is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Spelman vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Spelman ($18,447 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 25% lower than at Spelman College ($13,565 vs. $18,091).
• Catawba College is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $2,744 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Catawba College than at Spelman College (about $2,744 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 190.3% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($30,808 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Spelman vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 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 Spelman graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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.