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Catawba College vs Salem College

Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, NC, and Salem College is a private college in Winston-Salem, NC. Catawba College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 75% of applicants against 77% at Salem College. Catawba College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,879 a year against $18,277 at Salem College. About 57% of students graduate at Salem College, compared with 50% at Catawba College. Ten years after enrolling, Catawba College alumni earn a median of about $48,793, against $44,640 for Salem College.

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Private

Salem College

Winston-Salem, NC · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Salisbury, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,235
423
Acceptance rate
75%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1030–1300
1066–1243
ACT (middle 50%)
17–25
16–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,879
$18,277
Full cost / yr
$49,516
$48,532
In-state tuition
$34,300
$33,848
Out-of-state tuition
$34,300
$33,848
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,618
$19,074
$30k - $48k
$17,495
$16,001
$48k - $75k
$15,412
$16,147
$75k - $110k
$17,440
$19,940
Over $110k
$24,420
$24,027
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
57%
Freshman retention
77%
68%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,912
$38,496
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,793
$44,640
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$26,649
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
55%
First-generation students
30%
33%
International students
7%
4%
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 Salem College harder to get into?
Catawba College is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 77% at Salem 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 Salem College?
Catawba College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,879 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,277 at Salem College. 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 Salem College?
Before aid, Salem College costs about $48,532 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 Salem College?
Catawba College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,618 there, against about $19,074 at Salem College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Catawba College or Salem College?
Catawba College is the larger of the two, with about 1,235 undergraduates against 423 at Salem College.
Does Catawba College or Salem College have a better graduation rate?
Salem College has the higher graduation rate, at about 57% against 50% at Catawba College.
Do graduates of Catawba College or Salem College earn more?
Catawba College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $48,793 ten years after enrolling, against about $44,640 for Salem College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Catawba College and Salem College require SAT or ACT scores?
Catawba College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Salem College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Catawba College and Salem College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1030–1300 at Catawba College and 1066–1243 at Salem College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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