Your chances of getting into Catawba College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
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.
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
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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
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 Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 500 |
Math 25th Percentile | 500 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 1000 |
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 classChance 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 ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 15 |
Math 25th Percentile | 17 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 18 |
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 classChance 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.
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 | Freshmen Within Range |
---|---|
Top 10% of class | 18% |
Top 25% of class | 40% |
Top 50% of class | 71% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
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% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
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?
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
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
Lenoir Rhyne University
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Pfeiffer University
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Wingate University
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Winston Salem State University
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Guilford College
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Bradley University
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Barton College
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University of Alaska Fairbanks
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East Carolina University
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William Peace University
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University of St Thomas
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Mars Hill University
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Appalachian State University
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Carson Newman College
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Limestone University
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Western Carolina University
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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