Appalachian State University vs Catawba College: which has better ROI?
Appalachian State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,344 in 19.4 years versus 165.2 years at Catawba College, on median earnings of $51,836 vs $48,793 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Appalachian State University | Catawba College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,836 | $17,879 |
| Total net cost | $67,344 | $71,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,836 | $48,793 |
| Median debt | $20,231 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 19.4 yrs | 165.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $2,176 | -$62,856 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Appalachian State University or Catawba College?
Appalachian State University, at $16,836 a year after aid versus $17,879 — a gap of $1,043 a year, or $4,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Appalachian State University or Catawba College graduates earn more?
Appalachian State University graduates report a median $51,836 ten years after entry, $3,043 more than the $48,793 at Catawba College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Appalachian State University or Catawba College?
Appalachian State University: its completers carry a median $20,231 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Catawba College, a difference of $4,769. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Appalachian State University, against 47% at Catawba College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.