Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) vs South Piedmont Community College
Catawba Valley Community College and South Piedmont Community College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in North Carolina, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking a solid foundation for their academic and professional pursuits. While sharing a commitment to academic excellence, these colleges exhibit distinct characteristics that cater to different student needs and aspirations. Catawba Valley boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while South Piedmont maintains a slightly more selective admissions process. In terms of student demographics, Catawba Valley's student body is predominantly female, whereas South Piedmont's population leans towards males. Both colleges offer a wide array of programs, with popular majors including Business, Health Professions, and Liberal Arts. However, South Piedmont excels in Engineering and Industrial Technologies, while Catawba Valley shines in Public Safety and Culinary Arts. Graduation rates reveal a close match, with both colleges demonstrating a strong commitment to student success. To help you make an informed decision, we present a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these
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![]() Catawba Valley Community College |
![]() South Piedmont Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Hickory, North Carolina | Polkton, North Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Small | Rural: Distant |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 69.0% | 64.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | Not required |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,609
Out of state:
$32,985
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In state:
$20,624
Out of state:
$25,232
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Average net price | $8,286 | $5,742 |
Tuition |
In state:
$2,128
Out of state:
$7,504
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In state:
$1,824
Out of state:
$6,432
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Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $5,620 |
44.0%
Average amount $6,757 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $6,560 |
1.0%
Average amount $1,500 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,168
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
2,967
Men 35.6% Women 64.4% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.1% | 1.0% |
International students | 1.2% | 0.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina South Carolina Ohio | North Carolina South Carolina Florida Iowa |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 |
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 | 36.6% | 29.0% |
Dropout rate | 39.6% | 53.0% |
Transferred out | 16.6% | 15.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
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