Catawba College vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Catawba College vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($18,447 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 0.2% lower than at Catawba College ($13,534 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 170.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $21,612 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at UofSC than at Catawba College (about $1,672 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 331.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($30,808 vs. $7,139).

Catawba College vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 100 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming UofSC 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 South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Catawba College vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More UofSC 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.