Southern Catholic College is one of several “faithfully” Catholic colleges that offer students cost savings compared to other Catholic institutions, according to a report from The Cardinal Newman Society.

The average tuition at the society’s recommended colleges is about $3,000 less than at other Catholic colleges and about $1,000 less than the average private college, according to the study.

The examination of costs by the research arm of The Cardinal Newman Society looked at affordability to help parents and students during the ongoing recession as they consider colleges for next fall.

In other developments on campus, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory was recently selected to join Southern Catholic College Board of Trustees.

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees for Southern Catholic College, an institution in north Georgia where individuals can reflect and research in the light of our Catholic faith,” said Archbishop Gregory in a statement. “Opportunities are now available for students to expand their intellect in an inspirational environment with the commitment to serving others and I am pleased to be a part of the board for this fine college.

Jeremiah Ashcroft, president of Southern Catholic College, said the archbishop will help develop the college.

“His well-known leadership, his academic achievements and his experience as a university trustee will be extremely helpful as the College matures within the Archdiocese of Atlanta,” said Ashcroft.

Southern Catholic College is Georgia’s only residential Catholic college. It is a private, co-educational liberal arts college with a diverse student body from across the United States and several other countries.

On the affordability study, the college was among the 21 colleges profiled in The Cardinal Newman Society’s guide to choosing a college that were compared to other Catholic colleges and universities and private four-year institutions. The Cardinal Newman Society focuses on “renewing and strengthening Catholic identity” at the more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities.

Among the study’s findings:

• The Newman Guide colleges provide students a larger portion of institutional aid (39 percent) than the average private college (29 percent).
• Students at the recommended Catholic colleges graduate with fewer loans and less debt—on average, about $2,000 less than at private colleges and $1,400 less than other Catholic colleges.

The full report can be found at the Web site of The Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education: www.catholichighered.org.