Catawba College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Catawba College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College ($18,447 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 10.9% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,565 vs. $15,230).
• Catawba College is 31.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $8,140 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at Catawba College than at Sweet Briar College (about $8,140 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 37.6% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($30,808 vs. $22,387).

Catawba College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 40 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Catawba College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.