Catawba College is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Salisbury, North Carolina with 1,235 undergraduates. It admits 75% of applicants, costs an average of $15,993 a year after grants and graduates 48% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Catawba College acceptance rate and admissions
Catawba College admitted 75% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 520 to 650, math 510 to 650). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Catawba College application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early action | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Regular decision | Feb 1, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early action, Nov 15, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Catawba College’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Catawba College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $35,500 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $13,500 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $50,684 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $15,993 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $15,993 a year after grants and scholarships, $34,691 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Catawba College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Catawba College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 48% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $52,260 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $21,181 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 41% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Catawba College majors and what graduates earn
Catawba College awarded bachelor's degrees in 29 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from business administration ($60,718).
All 29 majors at Catawba College
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | 40 | $46,865 | $60,718 | $20,001 |
| Biology | 9 | $36,026 | $52,583 | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | 13 | $42,647 | $48,982 | $14,000 |
| Communication | 16 | n/a | $48,181 | $26,000 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 51 | $38,526 | $44,296 | $25,146 |
| Environmental science | 15 | n/a | $42,505 | $25,531 |
| Music | 4 | $28,523 | $39,633 | n/a |
| Nursing | 20 | $76,234 | n/a | n/a |
| Management information systems | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physical and occupational therapy | 8 | n/a | n/a | $26,767 |
| Political science | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| History | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Economics | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Radio, TV and digital media | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| English | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Computer and information sciences | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Criminal justice | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Applied mathematics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Catawba College
3 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 3 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental health counseling | Master's | 18 | n/a | $38,876 |
| Business administration | Master's | 16 | n/a | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 11 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 1,235 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 52% women, 48% men
- 13 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large suburb
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Catawba College?
Catawba College admitted 75% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Catawba College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $35,500. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $15,993 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Catawba College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 520 to 650 in reading and writing and 510 to 650 in math, and 17 to 25 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Catawba College test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Catawba College reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Catawba College?
48% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Catawba College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $52,260 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in North Carolina · Catawba College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.