C of I vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Catawba College 13:1.

C of I vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I 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 C of I ($18,447 vs. $21,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Idaho are 5.8% lower than at Catawba College ($12,773 vs. $13,565).
• The College of Idaho is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $3,545 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at C of I than at Catawba College (about $3,545 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 5.8% larger than aid received by The College of Idaho students ($30,808 vs. $29,110).

C of I vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I 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 C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming C of I students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

C of I vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I 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).

• The College of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from The College of Idaho earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $995 lower median loan debt than C of I graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,995).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than C of I graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More C of I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 60%)

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.