Catawba College vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than Catawba College ($15,336 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 1.9% lower than at Catawba College ($13,302 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 201.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $22,924 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.2% higher at Catawba College than at Tennessee Technological University (about $18,724 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Tennessee Technological University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 194.6% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($30,808 vs. $10,458).

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($165 vs. $258).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.