Catawba College vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (18,848 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 Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Catawba College vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or UNCW? 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 Catawba College than UNCW ($18,447 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 4.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,565 vs. $14,268).
• Catawba College is 371.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $27,023 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42% higher at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $10,148 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 361.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($30,808 vs. $6,674).

Catawba College vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 120 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming UNCW 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 Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 21% at UNCW.

Catawba College vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and UNCW? 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 Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.