Catawba College vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater College is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,448 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or BC? 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 Bridgewater College than Catawba College ($11,316 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 8.7% lower than at Bridgewater College ($13,565 vs. $14,850).
• Catawba College is 113.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $18,210 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.2% higher at Catawba College than at Bridgewater College (about $18,210 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($47,288 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or BC? 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 BC and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater College (1190) is 20 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 10.1% at BC.

Catawba College vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and BC? 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).

• Bridgewater College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 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 BC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More BC 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.