Valpo vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Valpo vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valpo ($18,447 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 0.4% lower than at Valparaiso University ($13,565 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $14,150 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at Valpo than at Catawba College (about $14,150 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($37,548 vs. $30,808).

Valpo vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is the same as at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Valpo 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: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Valpo vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 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 Valpo graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.