Catawba College vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($18,447 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 1.5% lower than at Catawba College ($13,356 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 148.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $20,488 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Catawba College than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $1,044 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 169.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($30,808 vs. $11,434).

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 120 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Catawba College vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.