Catawba College vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Liberty University? 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 Liberty University ($18,447 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 2% lower than at Liberty University ($13,565 vs. $13,835).
• Catawba College is 52.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $11,835 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.7% higher at Catawba College than at Liberty University (about $11,835 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Liberty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 146.7% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($30,808 vs. $12,489).

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 20 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Liberty University 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; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Catawba College vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Liberty University? 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $834 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($24,166 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 36%)

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.