TU vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Catawba College 13:1.

TU vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Catawba College ($16,653 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 16.6% lower than at Towson University ($13,565 vs. $16,260).
• Catawba College is 192.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $22,572 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Catawba College than at Towson University (about $4,480 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 160.6% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($30,808 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 80 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

TU vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.