Catawba College vs East Carolina University
Catawba College and East Carolina University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in North Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Catawba, a private liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized attention, while ECU, a public research university, provides a diverse range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. With acceptance rates of 68% and 76%, respectively, both institutions welcome a substantial number of students each year. While Catawba's student body primarily comprises undergraduates, ECU's diverse student population includes both undergraduate and graduate students. Business, Education, and Health Professions are popular majors at ECU, while Catawba offers strengths in Business, Psychology, and Biology. With graduation rates of 63% and 67%, both colleges ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences
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![]() Catawba College |
![]() East Carolina University |
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Overview |
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Location | Salisbury, North Carolina | Greenville, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 56.1% | 93.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 990 - 1150 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 49.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,199 | 21,898 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,234 | 20,560 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 264 | 4,100 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 19.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $46,262 |
In state:
$23,215
Out of state:
$39,492
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Average net price | $19,276 | $14,762 |
Tuition | $32,380 |
In state:
$4,452
Out of state:
$20,729
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,564
Meal plan:
$4,566
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Room/dormitory:
$5,630
Meal plan:
$4,060
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $26,327 |
63.0%
Average amount $7,761 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
63.0%
Average amount $5,262 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $11,314 |
8.0%
Average amount $14,093 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,142
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
22,463
Men 41.2% Women 58.8% |
Graduate students |
65
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
5,558
Men 32.6% Women 67.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 13.6% |
International students | 5.2% | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 688 | 5,203 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Carolina Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.8% | 65.8% |
Dropout rate | 39.5% | 8.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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