Catawba College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Catawba College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Catawba College ($13,767 vs. $18,447).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 8.9% lower than at Catawba College ($12,354 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 640.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $29,670 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 297.5% higher at Catawba College than at Western Carolina University (about $25,670 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 414.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,808 vs. $5,993).

Catawba College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Catawba College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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.