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PrivateSuburban

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina 28144

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitSuburban

Known for business — close-knit campus

Catawba College is a private institution in Salisbury with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1136, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.1K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

52% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,793 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,210.

Established
1851
Motto
Sit Lux
Mascot
Blue
Type
Private college
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour
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78%Acceptance
1136SAT Avg
1,127Students
12:1Student:Faculty
52%Grad Rate
$48,793Earnings 10yr
$18,210Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate77.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1136

Reading & WritingMid: 535
500593
MathMid: 535
510593

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
2025

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,400
Room & Board$12,550
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$47,866
Average Net Price$18,210
Median Debt at Graduation$25,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$265

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,892
$30–48K$13,838
$48–75K$14,971
$75–110K$19,531
$110K+$25,348

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

40.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (40)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,127
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
39%

Race & Ethnicity

White 55%
Black 21%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate52.1%
Freshman Retention73.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$36,912
10 Years$48,793

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#26
—
vs 2024

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

95Average

Estimated from NC state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
38 mi(66 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
104 mi(180 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
259 mi(449 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte42 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham96 mi
RIC Richmond216 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
New York, NY494 mi · ~14h 16m drive
Hartford, CT594 mi · ~17h 10m drive
Providence, RI646 mi · ~18h 40m drive
Albany, NY601 mi · ~17h 22m drive
Syracuse, NY558 mi · ~16h 7m drive
Rochester, NY538 mi · ~15h 33m drive
Buffalo, NY504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
Philadelphia, PA413 mi · ~11h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA329 mi · ~9h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA372 mi · ~10h 45m drive
Newark, NJ488 mi · ~14h 6m drive
Washington, DC292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Baltimore, MD327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA259 mi · ~7h 29m drive
Charlotte, NC38 mi · ~1h 6m drive
Raleigh, NC104 mi · ~3h drive
Miami, FL686 mi · ~19h 49m drive
Orlando, FL497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
Tampa, FL547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Nashville, TN354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
New Orleans, LA683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Richmond, VA212 mi · ~6h 7m drive
Chicago, IL575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
Detroit, MI479 mi · ~13h 50m drive
Minneapolis, MN928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
St. Louis, MO572 mi · ~16h 31m drive
Kansas City, MO808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Indianapolis, IN419 mi · ~12h 6m drive
Columbus, OH325 mi · ~9h 23m drive
Cleveland, OH407 mi · ~11h 45m drive
Milwaukee, WI644 mi · ~18h 36m drive
Dallas, TX952 mi · ~27h 30m drive
Houston, TX956 mi · ~27h 37m drive
Austin, TX1066 mi · ~30h 48m drive
San Antonio, TX1133 mi · ~32h 44m drive
Los Angeles, CA2130 mi · ~61h 32m drive
San Francisco, CA2307 mi · ~66h 39m drive
San Diego, CA2094 mi · ~60h 30m drive
Seattle, WA2279 mi · ~65h 50m drive
Portland, OR2286 mi · ~66h 2m drive
Denver, CO1364 mi · ~39h 24m drive
Phoenix, AZ1796 mi · ~51h 53m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1731 mi · ~50h drive
Honolulu, HI4687 mi · ~135h 24m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

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