Catawba College - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Catawba College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

77.7%

Admission Difficulty for Catawba College
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Easy
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Catawba College is 77.7%. Its admission rate is the 32nd lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Catawba College and can you get accepted?

Catawba College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,979 out of the 2,547 who applied were admitted.

Catawba College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.64. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Catawba College?

78% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Catawba College you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.64 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1100 on the SAT
Score 22 on the ACT
Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Catawba College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.64

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Catawba College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Catawba College are to have around a 3.64 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.64 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Catawba College accepts 78% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Catawba College is 3.64 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #10 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Catawba College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Catawba College students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	29.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	17.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	17.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	13.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	11.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	10.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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Catawba College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Catawba College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 13% of students submitted SAT scores and 24% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1010-1186

Applicants Submitting SAT

13%

SAT Scores for Catawba College
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	500
Math 25th Percentile	510
Composite 25th Percentile	1010

SAT Scores for Catawba College
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	593
Math 75th Percentile	593
Composite 75th Percentile	1186
Average SAT Score	1100

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Catawba College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Catawba College is 1100 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1010-1186. Students who get into Catawba College score in the top 59 percent of all SAT test takers.. Catawba College ranks #27 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1100 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Catawba College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1010 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1010, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 920, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Catawba College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1098, you have around a 78% chance of being admitted. A 1186 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 87% chance of getting in.

Catawba College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1186 and Above	Good	>87%
1098 to 1186	Avg +	78%-87%
1010 to 1098	Avg -	65%-78%
922 to 1010	Reach	50%-65%
Less than 922	Low	<50%

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Catawba College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

20-25

Applicants Submitting ACT

24%

ACT Scores for Catawba College
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	19
Math 25th Percentile	17
Composite 25th Percentile	20

ACT Scores for Catawba College
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	24
Math 75th Percentile	25
Composite 75th Percentile	25
Average ACT Score	22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Catawba College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Catawba College is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 25. The school ranks #25 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

24 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Catawba College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Catawba College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Catawba College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 78% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 25 ACT score.

Catawba College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
25 and Above	Good	>88%
22 to 25	Avg +	78%-88%
20 to 22	Avg -	68%-78%
18 to 20	Reach	56%-68%
Less than 18	Low	<56%

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High School Class Rank

71% of Catawba College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Catawba College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	18%
Top 25% of class	40%
Top 50% of class	71%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Catawba College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,180	1,362	2,547
Accepted	976	1,001	1,979
Acceptance Rate	83%	73%	78%
Enrolled	146	162	308
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	15%	16%	16%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 57 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Catawba College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Catawba College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Catawba College Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Catawba College
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Catawba College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.64 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1100 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.