Catawba College vs. NSU

Catawba College and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Catawba College
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Catawba College (75.2% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1170 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $18,447 at Catawba College.
  • Graduation: Catawba College 54% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Catawba College $42,000 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Catawba College Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
Catawba College more selective
Catawba College75.2%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Catawba College higher
Catawba College1030-1300
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $9,323 less
Catawba College$18,447
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $24,120 less
Catawba College$34,300
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $12,618 less
Catawba College$34,300
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
Catawba College +21 pts
Catawba College54%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Catawba College +$5,300
Catawba College$42,000
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Catawba College and NSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Catawba College Check my chances at NSU
  • Applied
  • Catawba College 3,457
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Catawba College 2,600
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Catawba College 75.2%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Catawba College 12.5%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Catawba College 1170
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Catawba College 21
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Catawba College 3.64
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Catawba College A-
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Catawba College Average
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Catawba College
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Catawba College 1030-1300
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Catawba College 17-25
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Catawba College Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Catawba College Aug 15, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Catawba College $13,565
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Catawba College $18,447
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Catawba College $30,808
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Catawba College 100%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Catawba College 54%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Catawba College $42,000
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Catawba College 60%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Catawba College $25,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Catawba College $258
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Catawba College 13:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Catawba College
    • Business (32%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Catawba College Salisbury, NC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Catawba College Distant Town
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Catawba College 1,376
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Catawba College Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Catawba College #555
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,376 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 14.6% lower than at Catawba College ($11,591 vs. $13,565).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at Catawba College than at Norfolk State University (about $12,618 more per year; $34,300 vs. $21,682).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 104.6% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($30,808 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Catawba College than at NSU (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Catawba College and NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Catawba College average a 3.64 high school GPA, 0.74 higher than at NSU (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($258 vs. $320).
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 27%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Catawba College
Norfolk State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges