About Catawba College

Founded in 1851, Catawba College. is a Private college. Located in North Carolina, which is a city setting in North Carolina, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 1,297 full time undergraduate students, and 9 full time graduate students.

The Catawba College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 84 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Catawba College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate47%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range850-1090
ACT Range18-24

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,19% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

63% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 29% were in the top quarter, and 9% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Catawba College.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
10%
“We know about current events and vote”
85%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
35%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
15%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
60%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
40%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
40%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
5%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
55%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
68%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
74%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
70%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
15%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
80%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
10%
“We know about current events and vote”
85%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
5%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
35%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
15%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
60%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
40%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
40%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
5%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
55%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
68%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
74%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
70%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
15%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
80%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    46 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    29 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    47 Students rated campus food 2.5 stars. 2 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    47 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    47 Students rated class size 4.8 stars. 77 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    47 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    47 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    47 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

Catawba College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Catawba College?

20 Students rated Catawba College

Arianna - 07/11/2023

Catawba was a great school to complete the remainder of my degree. I would recommend Catawba for certain things such as their athletics and demographic. I would not recommend Catawba for the lack of modernized on-campus housing and the preparation of the cafeteria food.

Amir - 12/19/2020

I am currently a freshman here but my first impression of the school is, average. Being honest, I would compare it to my high school when in terms of sanitary, meaning it's both poor or simply average at most. The dorms are what you'd expect from a college with them being small and average, but it's nice and small so it won't be too difficult getting lost, there are virtual maps to use, and the staff are always around whenever you need them.

Meredith - 07/24/2019

I transferred to Catawba College after being unhappy with my first year at UNC-Asheville. I absolutely loved Catawba, and if I had the choice to go back in time and restart my college career, I'd choose Catawba in a heartbeat. It's a small school with small class sizes, so you'll always see a familiar face, and your professors not only know you by name, but know your interests and care for you. Professors were always available for office hours and were happy to write recommendation letters for graduate school programs. There's a diverse student body, plenty of clubs and activities to take part in, and the resident halls are better than most. Furthermore, the cost is fairly reasonable for a private school, and the academics are challenging. The only downsides to Catawba College were the food available on campus and the location. There were never any vegetarian or vegan options available aside from the salad bar and occasional sides, so they aren't very accommodating in that regard, which is a downfall when you are diet-restricted, yet required to purchase a meal plan. The food quality was very sub-par overall, regarding flavor and selection. As for location, Salisbury is a small town with very little to do, and Charlotte is the closest large city, but a good 45 minute to hour drive away. However, if you can overlook the last two points, the good at Catawba far outweighs the bad. It's a wonderful college that has grown tremendously and continues to make its mark in the community.

Leighann - 07/06/2019

I think Catawba is a great school. The atmosphere is great overall and the people are very nice. There are always opportunities for students and the professors are very helpful. Catawba gives everyone an equal chance to get involved and become apart of something great.

Catawba College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Catawba College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Catawba College is 47%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    pick a larger university that has more fields of study. borrow the money to attend that school and not try to save money and live at home to reduce the cost. not have my father come out of retirement and go to work at catawba college to off set my tuition cost and let him enjoy his retirement from the state highway patrol.

    Read all 32 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates at Catawba are very nice outgoing people who I found extremely easy to interact with. I am a fairly social person and so were the people in my classes so it was easy to meet new people. Catawba is a Liberal Arts school so the students there are very theatrical and dramatic and at first I found quite over whelming but they all were great people who i have grown to love and consider very close friends.

    Read all 7 answers

  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Many students live in the area, and the campus does tend to clear out on the weekends. Being a student from out of state, it makes things sort of difficult.

    Read all 7 answers

  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Those who love to party every night and not focus on schoolwork. Catawba is very dedicated to the the success of their students and will provide support in anyway possible. There is a feeling of hard work and accomplishment that surrounds campus, and while drinking and partying does occur, it is hardly discussed. Students who believe college is just a time to party would enjoy a larger school that is known for their parties.

    Read all 7 answers

  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My School is best known for there drama department, we put on tons of plays through out the year that have brilliant acting and singing by students of all ages. The performances are open to the public and free for students.

    Read all 6 answers

  7. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    We have such a beautiful campus and an amazing theater program. Our theater program is 10 in the country according to Princeton review.

    Read all 6 answers

  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Fun, friendly atmosphere.

    Read all 5 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    All the people you get to meet and become friends with. It's a small college so you get to know everybody and make tons of connections

    Read all 5 answers

  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    An open-minded person looking to enjoy personal growth in a small liberal arts setting.

    Read all 5 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    The more active you and the more involved you become with the community the better the experiance will be.

    Read all 4 answers

  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Food, Cost, and Boring

    Read all 3 answers

  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Catawba just has something on campus, that inspires you, the down home rural southern town, is just what makes it feel like home. But with the differences of opinion on campus, with all the different people coming together and being friends, makes that feeling just inspiring.

    Read all 2 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I love Catawba. The small classes and campus makes it easy to make friends and fine people who have similar interests as you. There is a variety of clubs and organizations to be involved in. Also, there is always some school sponsored event taking place in the student center.

    Read all 1 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype is that everyone that goes there is a christian. This stereotype is not accurate. You can get into the college and not go to church. You don't have to believe in God to find friends. Also, not all the activities on campus is revolved around church.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

54%

female

46%

male

1,297

Total Undergrad Enrollment

9

Total Grad Students

23%

Out-Of-State

74%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

38

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

57%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
19%
% Hispanic/Latino
7%
% White or Caucasian
67%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Catawba College receive some sort of financial aid. 42% were awarded federal grants. While 75% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$29,333

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,400

Books and Supplies

$10,487

Room and Board

41,220

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$16,474
$30 - $48K
$18,406
$48 - $75K
$17,781
$75 - $110K
$21,048
$110K & UP
$23,076

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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