Catawba College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or SPU? 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 SPU ($18,447 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 17.7% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($13,565 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $6,107 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at SPU than at Catawba College (about $6,107 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($31,558 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 20 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming SPU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Catawba College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $603 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($258 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.