Berea College vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Berea College is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Berea College vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than Catawba College ($5,888 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 39.5% lower than at Catawba College ($8,208 vs. $13,565).
• Berea College is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $17,358 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Berea College than at Catawba College (about $17,358 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Berea College as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 78% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($54,830 vs. $30,808).

Berea College vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 80 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Berea College vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $19,200 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($5,800 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($59 vs. $258).
• More Berea College 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.