C
#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

Catawba College Admission Requirements

Salisbury, North Carolina

 0 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Catawba College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

67.1%
Admission Difficulty for Catawba College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Catawba College is 67.1%.  Its admission rate is the 21st lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Catawba College and can you get accepted?

Catawba College is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 2,146 out of the 3,199 who applied were admitted.

Catawba College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.64. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Catawba College?

67% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Catawba College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.64 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1110 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Catawba College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.64

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Catawba College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Catawba College are to have around a 3.64 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Catawba College accepts 67% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Catawba College is 3.64 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Catawba College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Catawba College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 29.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Catawba College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Catawba College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 11% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1000-1210

Applicants Submitting SAT 

11%
SAT Scores for Catawba College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1000
SAT Scores for Catawba College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 600
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1210
Average SAT Score 1110

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Catawba College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Catawba College is 1110 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1000-1210. Students who get into Catawba College score in the top 60 percent of all SAT test takers..  Catawba College ranks #23 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1110 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Catawba College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1000 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1000, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 890, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Catawba College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1110 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1105, you have around a 67% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

Catawba College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1210 and Above Good >79%
1105 to 1210 Avg + 67%-79%
1000 to 1105 Avg - 52%-67%
895 to 1000 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 895 Low <36%
Calculate My Chances 

Catawba College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

15%
ACT Scores for Catawba College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 15
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for Catawba College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Catawba College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Catawba College is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 27.  The school ranks #23 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

15 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Catawba College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Catawba College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Catawba College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 67% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 81% with a 27 ACT score.

Catawba College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >81%
22 to 27 Avg + 67%-81%
18 to 22 Avg - 53%-67%
14 to 18 Reach 39%-53%
Less than 14 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

71% of Catawba College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Catawba College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 40%
Top 50% of class 71%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Catawba College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,706 1,465 3,199
Accepted 1,205 921 2,146
Acceptance Rate 71% 63% 67%
Enrolled 144 150 298
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 16% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

234

Applicants have 234 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Catawba College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Catawba College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Catawba College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Catawba College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Catawba College is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.64 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1110 on the SAT and 22 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Catawba College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198215 IPEDS survey data for Catawba College.

Last updated February 24, 2024