Bellarmine University vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Bellarmine University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,886 students vs. 1,376 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bellarmine University 12:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Bellarmine University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University ($18,447 vs. $23,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 20% lower than at Catawba College ($10,850 vs. $13,565).
• Bellarmine University is 42.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $14,470 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at Bellarmine University than at Catawba College (about $14,470 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($39,001 vs. $30,808).

Bellarmine University vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bellarmine University or Catawba College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Catawba College and Bellarmine University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 30 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1140).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 1030/1250; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 23/28; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bellarmine University - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Catawba College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Bellarmine University vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Bellarmine University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bellarmine University and Catawba College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College and Bellarmine University graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Catawba College and Bellarmine University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Bellarmine University 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.