Catawba College vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($18,447 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 0.3% lower than at Chatham University ($13,565 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $10,326 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at Chatham than at Catawba College (about $10,326 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Chatham University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Chatham University students ($30,808 vs. $30,095).

Catawba College vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Chatham 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: Catawba College 1030/1300; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Catawba College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Chatham 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.