Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville

Should I go to Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Asheville? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Asheville is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville comparison
Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville College 3 College 4
Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
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Overview

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Location Salisbury, NC Asheville, NC
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,172 2,914
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #444
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu unca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $4,122
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $21,470
Room & Board $11,576 $10,556
Avg Net Price $19,701 $14,730
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $6,491
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 4,278
Admitted 2,146 3,179
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 74.3%
Enrolled % 13.9% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 21/28
SAT Range 1000/1210 1145/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Graduation Rate 54% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,641
Median Loan Payment $258 $213

Diversity

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
% Men 48% 42%
% Women 52% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 80%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
% In-State 61% 82%
% Out-of-State 34% 16%

Campus

Catawba College University of North Carolina at Asheville
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of North Carolina at Asheville is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (2,914 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Asheville?

  • Catawba College is 697.4% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.1% higher at Catawba College than University of North Carolina at Asheville ($32,868.00 vs. $21,470.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Asheville than Catawba College ($14,730 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 9.7% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,556 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than University of North Carolina at Asheville (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 314.6% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Asheville ($26,913 vs. $6,491)

Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Asheville? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of North Carolina at Asheville or Catawba College .

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 169 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at University of North Carolina at Asheville (3.49)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

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

Which is better, Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Asheville? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of North Carolina at Asheville and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Asheville is higher than Catawba College (61% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $4,100 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,900)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville students graduate with a $4,359 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($20,641 vs. $25,000)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($213 vs. $258)
  • More University of North Carolina at 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/