Cornell College vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Cornell College vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Catawba 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 Cornell College ($18,447 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 12.6% lower than at Catawba College ($11,850 vs. $13,565).
• Cornell College is 53.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $18,360 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.5% higher at Cornell College than at Catawba College (about $18,360 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($41,092 vs. $30,808).

Cornell College vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 30 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Cornell College 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: Cornell College 1120/1285; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Cornell College vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Catawba 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.