Catawba College vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

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

Meredith College is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,465 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Meredith? 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 Meredith ($18,447 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 2.1% lower than at Catawba College ($13,280 vs. $13,565).
• Meredith College is 33% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $11,330 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at Meredith than at Catawba College (about $11,330 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Meredith College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($33,116 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 50 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

Catawba College vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.