Catawba College
Salisbury, NC · Large suburb
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 75.2%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 2,547
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,979
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 308
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 16%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 83%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 73%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 520–650
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 510–650
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 17–25
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 13% / 24%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $49,516
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $34,300
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $34,300
- Median debt at graduation
- $25,000
- Students with federal loans
- 53%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 47%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 77%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $34,621
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $48,793
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,235
- Graduate students
- 114
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 13 : 1
- Women
- 52%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 41%
- Full-time faculty
- 81%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- David Nelson
- Main phone
- (800) 228-2922
- Address
- 2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 15 | December 15 |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | March 1 |
Also admits on a rolling basis.
- Apply with
- Common App, Own application
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- No essay; three short answers
- Recommendations
- Recommended: 1 letter from core teacher or counselor
Testing: Test scores optional
Financial aid policies
- FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
- Merit scholarships: Admitted on-campus students automatically considered for merit scholarships
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: catawba.edu, catawba.edu, catawba.edu, catawba.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.