Catawba College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Catawba College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or VCU? 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 VCU ($18,447 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 25.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,565 vs. $18,254).
• Catawba College is 102.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $17,355 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at VCU than at Catawba College (about $5,809 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 117.2% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($30,808 vs. $14,186).

Catawba College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Catawba College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.