Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Asheville is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (3,056 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or University of North Carolina Asheville? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina Asheville than Catawba College ($13,798 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 3.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,565 vs. $13,992).
• Catawba College is 357.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $26,799 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38% higher at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $9,451 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina Asheville (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 301% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($30,808 vs. $7,683).

Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or University of North Carolina Asheville? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of North Carolina Asheville and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 100 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and University of North Carolina Asheville? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $4,359 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,641 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.