Catawba College vs. WCU

Should I go to Catawba College or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catawba College or WCU 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. Western Carolina University comparison
Catawba College Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Catawba College Western Carolina University
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Overview

 Catawba College WCU
Location Salisbury, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,172 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website catawba.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Catawba College WCU
Tuition (In State) $32,868 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $32,868 $5,000
Room & Board $11,576 $11,173
Avg Net Price $19,701 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $26,913 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Catawba College WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,199 17,917
Admitted 2,146 15,201
Acceptance Rate 67.1% 84.8%
Enrolled % 13.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/27 19/26
SAT Range 1000/1210 1020/1240
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Catawba College WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Catawba College WCU
Graduation Rate 54% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $258 $227

Diversity

 Catawba College WCU
% Men 48% 41%
% Women 52% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 79%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 Catawba College WCU
% In-State 61% 80%
% Out-of-State 34% 18%

Campus

 Catawba College WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,172 students)

Catawba College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or WCU?

  • Catawba College is 3,186.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($32,868.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 557.4% higher at Catawba College than Western Carolina University ($32,868.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Catawba College ($13,022 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 3.6% lower than costs at Catawba College ($11,173 vs. $11,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 494.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($26,913 vs. $4,526)

Catawba College vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 42 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • 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 (84.8%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Catawba College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Western Carolina University (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $2,900 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($22,010 vs. $25,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans 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/