Catawba College vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Catawba College ($15,522 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 5.4% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,565 vs. $14,332).
• Catawba College is 289.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $25,501 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Catawba College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $1,453 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 163.9% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($30,808 vs. $11,675).

Catawba College vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 220 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming NC State students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Catawba College vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and NC State? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $4,218 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,782 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($214 vs. $258).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.