Salisbury vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Salisbury vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury 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 Salisbury ($18,447 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 2.4% lower than at Salisbury University ($13,565 vs. $13,900).
• Catawba College is 209.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $23,216 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at Catawba College than at Salisbury University (about $12,126 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 237.7% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($30,808 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury 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 Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 80 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Salisbury students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Salisbury vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,847 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,153 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($208 vs. $258).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.