St. Mary's College vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,601 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Catawba College 13:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College ($18,447 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 4.9% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,565 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 55.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $18,930 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.2% higher at St. Mary's College than at Catawba College (about $18,930 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($38,748 vs. $30,808).

St. Mary's College vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 60 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming St. Mary's College 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: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

St. Mary's College vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 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 St. Mary's College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.