Catawba College vs. WCU

Catawba College and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Catawba College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Catawba College (75.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1170 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $18,447 at Catawba College.
  • Graduation: Catawba College 54% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Catawba College $42,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Catawba College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Catawba College more selective
Catawba College75.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Catawba College higher
Catawba College1030-1300
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $4,680 less
Catawba College$18,447
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $29,670 less
Catawba College$34,300
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $25,670 less
Catawba College$34,300
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Catawba College +4 pts
Catawba College54%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Catawba College +$2,900
Catawba College$42,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Catawba College 3,457
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Catawba College 2,600
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Catawba College 75.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Catawba College 12.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Catawba College 1170
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Catawba College 21
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Catawba College 3.64
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Catawba College A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Catawba College Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Catawba College
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Catawba College 1030-1300
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Catawba College 17-25
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Catawba College Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Catawba College Aug 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Catawba College $13,565
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Catawba College $18,447
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Catawba College $30,808
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Catawba College 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Catawba College 54%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Catawba College $42,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Catawba College 60%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Catawba College $25,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Catawba College $258
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Catawba College 13:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Catawba College
    • Business (32%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Catawba College Salisbury, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Catawba College Distant Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Catawba College 1,376
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Catawba College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Catawba College #555
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,376 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 8.9% lower than at Catawba College ($12,354 vs. $13,565).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 297.5% higher at Catawba College than at Western Carolina University (about $25,670 more per year; $34,300 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 414.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,808 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at Catawba College (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Catawba College and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Catawba College average a 3.64 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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