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Colleges / NC / Salisbury
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Catawba College

Private nonprofit Salisbury, NC · Suburban · Southeast · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
50%
Graduation Rate
$48,793
Earnings (10yr)
$17,879
Net Price
75%
Acceptance Rate

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Overview

Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, caters to students who are looking for a close-knit community and a personalized educational experience. With an acceptance rate of 75%, it welcomes a diverse range of learners, particularly those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Education, and Biology & Biomedical. What stands out here is the small enrollment of about 1,235, which fosters meaningful connections between students and faculty, making it easier to get support and mentorship.

After graduation, students can expect to earn around $48,793 on average within ten years. This figure gives a good idea of the financial prospects for those who complete their degrees here. While the graduation rate sits at 50%, it's important to note that many students find their footing and succeed in their respective fields. The cost of attendance is manageable, especially considering the financial aid options available, which can help students transition into the workforce without overwhelming debt.

When we look at the practical aspects, the net price after aid is about $17,879, and the median debt for graduates is $25,000. This means that while students can accumulate some debt, it’s not prohibitively high in relation to their potential earnings. Catawba tends to attract students who thrive in a supportive environment and are motivated to engage with their studies, making it a solid choice for those who value community and hands-on learning.

Rankings

How Catawba Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation50%Earnings 10yr$49KNet Price$18KRetention77%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate41%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$14K$0-30K$17K$30-48K$15K$48-75K$24K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%575.9%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%2174.3%MOBILITY125.22%

Cost & Financial Aid

$34,300
In-State Tuition
$34,300
Out-of-State
$17,879
Avg Net Price
$25,000
Median Debt
41%
Pell Grant Rate
53%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$13,618
Family Income $0–$30K
$17,495
Family Income $30K–$48K
$15,412
Family Income $48K–$75K
$24,420
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$36,912
6 Years After Entry
$43,359
8 Years
$48,793
10 Years
0.51x
Debt-to-Earnings
59%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$36,912 6yr $43,359 8yr $48,793 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

125.22%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
2174.3%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
575.9%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$94,000
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.37
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
-0.03
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
7.2%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 75%
Retention Rate 77%
SAT Average 1096
ACT Midpoint 22
SAT Range 1030–1300
ACT Range 17–25
Full-Time Faculty 81%
Faculty Salary (mo) $8,682
Diversity Index 0.65
First-Gen Students 30%

Top Programs

Business & Marketing 25%
Health Professions 13%
Communications 7%
Education 6%
Biology & Biomedical 5%
Social Sciences 4%
Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Psychology 1%