Catawba College vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Catawba College vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College ($18,447 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 4.8% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($13,565 vs. $14,250).
• Catawba College is 134.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $19,660 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Catawba College than at University of Mary Washington (about $6,740 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of Mary Washington (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 193.7% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($30,808 vs. $10,491).

Catawba College vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 100 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Catawba College vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and Mary Washington 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.