College Search
Catawba College

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Suburb · 1,235 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,879
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
50%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$48,793
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
75%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Catawba College is a private liberal arts institution in Salisbury, North Carolina, best known for its nationally recognized theatre arts program alongside strong offerings in environmental science, nursing, and business. A leader in sustainability, Catawba distinguishes itself as the first certified carbon-neutral college in the Southeast, boasting a 189-acre on-campus ecological preserve that serves as a living laboratory for undergraduate research. The campus culture is tight-knit and active, offering personalized faculty mentorship, a vibrant arts scene, and spirited NCAA Division II athletic competition.

Wikipedia:Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, North Carolina. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its current home of Salisbury in 1925. Catawba College still holds loose ties with the successor to the Reformed Church, the United Church of Christ. It offers over 70 undergraduate degrees. As of August 2024, Catawba has an endowment over $580 million.

Location
Salisbury, NC, 28144 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
96 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$34,300
Housing & food (on campus)$13,565
Books & supplies$1,400
Cost of attendance$54,190
Average net price$17,879
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$34,300
Housing & food (on campus)$13,565
Books & supplies$1,400
Cost of attendance$54,190
Average net price$17,879
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.catawba.edu
How it’s made up · 2025-26
Catawba College’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$35,500
Fees$70
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$1,600
Transportation$2,520
Total published by the school$54,190
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,618
$30–48k
$17,495
$48–75k
$15,412
$75–110k
$17,440
$110k+
$24,420
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$23,346
Share of first-years who get one24%
Source: Catawba College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
50%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
47%
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
57% graduated · 28% transferred · 15% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$36,912
10 yrs after entry$48,793
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27k
90th percentile$35,480
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — diverse fields: 43% graduate within 6 yrs, $45,606 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
75%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1096
R 520–650 · M 510–650
ACT midpoint
22
Comp 17–25 · E 15–24 · M 16–24
SAT middle 50%: 1030–1300
40080012001600

Wondering if Catawba College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts
How much essays count at Catawba College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Catawba College's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Catawba College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
41%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$48,930
Independent
20%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
7%
Race & ethnicity
White
54%
Hispanic
10%
Black
21%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$36,912
After 10 yrs
$48,793
Business Administration, Management and Operations49
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness40
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods28
Natural Resources Conservation and Research18
Biology, General17
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions16
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing11
Communication and Media Studies9
Criminal Justice and Corrections9
Special Education and Teaching8
Computer and Information Sciences, General7
Psychology, General7
Political Science and Government7
Accounting and Related Services6
Management Information Systems and Services6
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$386M
Full-time faculty
81%
Faculty salary
$8,682/mo
Teaching spend
$12,087
per student
Federal loans
53%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Catawba College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search