Kentucky vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Kentucky vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($18,447 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 15.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,565 vs. $16,016).
• Catawba College is 154% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $20,798 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Catawba College than at University of Kentucky (about $160 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 138.9% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($30,808 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Kentucky vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($235 vs. $258).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.