Earlham vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Earlham vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham ($18,447 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 3% lower than at Earlham College ($13,565 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 57.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $19,630 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.2% higher at Earlham than at Catawba College (about $19,630 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 31.8% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($40,618 vs. $30,808).

Earlham vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 30 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Earlham 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: Earlham College 1110/1290; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Earlham vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.