Catawba College vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (31,091 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 at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Catawba College vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or UNC Charlotte? 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 at Charlotte than Catawba College ($15,045 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 6.2% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($13,565 vs. $14,458).
• Catawba College is 373.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $27,061 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $11,808 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 286.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($30,808 vs. $7,966).

Catawba College vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or UNC Charlotte? 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 UNC Charlotte and Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 70 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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 at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Catawba College vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and UNC Charlotte? 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More UNC Charlotte 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.