Catawba College vs. UNCW

Should I go to Catawba College or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or UNCW 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ASU UNC Charlotte UNC Chapel Hill ECU UNCG NC State WCU UD University of North Carolina at Asheville Auburn UofSC Coastal Carolina
Catawba College vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
Catawba College University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
Catawba College University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Catawba College UNCW
Location Salisbury, NC Wilmington, NC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,172 17,843
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #377
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catawba College UNCW
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $19,063
Room & Board $11,576 $12,120
Avg Net Price $19,701 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 56%

Admission

Catawba College UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 16,860
Admitted 2,146 11,605
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 68.8%
Enrolled % 13.9% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/27 24/29
SAT Range 1000/1210 1220/1370
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Catawba College UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Catawba College UNCW
Graduation Rate 54% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $211

Diversity

Catawba College UNCW
% Men 48% 34%
% Women 52% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 78%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Catawba College UNCW
% In-State 61% 80%
% Out-of-State 34% 19%

Campus

Catawba College UNCW
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 Wilmington is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (17,843 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or UNCW?

  • Catawba College is 639.8% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.4% higher at Catawba College than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($32,868.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Wilmington than Catawba College ($18,709 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 4.7% lower than costs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($11,576 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (100% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 332.9% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($26,913 vs. $6,217)

Catawba College vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1162) is 172 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming UNCW students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNCW (3.56)
  • UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (68.8%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catawba College or UNCW? 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 UNCW and Catawba College.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than Catawba College (67% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington earn on average $2,700 more per year than Catawba College graduates after ten years. ($44,700 vs. $42,000)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
  • UNCW graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans 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/