Transylvania University vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,006 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Transylvania University is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Transylvania University 10:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Transylvania University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Transylvania University 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 Transylvania University ($18,447 vs. $25,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 7.7% lower than at Transylvania University ($13,565 vs. $14,697).
• Transylvania University is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $12,570 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at Transylvania University than at Catawba College (about $12,570 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Transylvania University as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($35,903 vs. $30,808).

Transylvania University vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Transylvania University 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 Transylvania University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Transylvania University (1250) is 80 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Transylvania University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Transylvania University 1120/1380; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Transylvania University 24/30; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Transylvania University - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Transylvania University Aug 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Transylvania University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at Transylvania University vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Transylvania University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Transylvania University 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).

• Transylvania University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Transylvania University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,700 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 Transylvania University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Transylvania University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Transylvania University 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.