Skip to content

Catawba College vs Johnson C Smith University

Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, NC. Johnson C Smith University is a private university in Charlotte, NC. Johnson C Smith University admits about 45% of applicants and Catawba College about 75%, making Johnson C Smith University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,879 a year at Catawba College after aid, and about $20,894 at Johnson C Smith University. About 50% of students graduate at Catawba College, compared with 34% at Johnson C Smith University. Ten years after enrolling, Catawba College alumni earn a median of about $48,793, against $42,680 for Johnson C Smith University.

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Private

Johnson C Smith University

Charlotte, NC · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Salisbury, NC
Charlotte, NC
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,235
1,244
Acceptance rate
75%
45%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.2–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1030–1300
800–980
ACT (middle 50%)
17–25
13–18
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,879
$20,894
Full cost / yr
$49,516
$34,923
In-state tuition
$34,300
$21,300
Out-of-state tuition
$34,300
$21,300
Application fee
$0
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,618
$19,940
$30k - $48k
$17,495
$21,165
$48k - $75k
$15,412
$21,005
$75k - $110k
$17,440
$19,722
Over $110k
$24,420
$29,050
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
34%
Freshman retention
77%
71%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,912
$31,478
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,793
$42,680
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$30,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
69%
First-generation students
30%
36%
International students
7%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 1
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University harder to get into?
Johnson C Smith University is harder to get into. It admits about 45% of applicants, compared with 75% at Catawba College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University?
Catawba College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,879 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,894 at Johnson C Smith University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Catawba College and Johnson C Smith University?
Before aid, Johnson C Smith University costs about $34,923 a year and Catawba College about $49,516. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University?
Catawba College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,618 there, against about $19,940 at Johnson C Smith University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University is the larger of the two, with about 1,244 undergraduates against 1,235 at Catawba College.
Does Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University have a better graduation rate?
Catawba College has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 34% at Johnson C Smith University.
Do graduates of Catawba College or Johnson C Smith University earn more?
Catawba College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $48,793 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,680 for Johnson C Smith University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Catawba College and Johnson C Smith University require SAT or ACT scores?
Catawba College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Johnson C Smith University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Catawba College and Johnson C Smith University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1030–1300 at Catawba College and 800–980 at Johnson C Smith University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school