Catawba College vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Catawba College vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or CofC? 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 CofC ($18,447 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 5.4% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,565 vs. $14,332).
• Catawba College is 164.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $21,322 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at CofC than at Catawba College (about $3,996 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 243% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($30,808 vs. $8,983).

Catawba College vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 60 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming CofC 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: Catawba College 1030/1300; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Catawba College vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.