Catawba College vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Salem College 9:1.

Catawba College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Salem College? 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 Salem College ($18,447 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 1.1% lower than at Salem College ($13,565 vs. $13,710).
• Catawba College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $452 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Catawba College than at Salem College (about $452 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($30,808 vs. $30,001).

Catawba College vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 20 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Catawba College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Catawba College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Salem College? 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 Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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.