Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Salisbury, North Carolina
77.7% Acceptance Rate
Catawba College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
77.7%Acceptance Rate
3.64Avg GPA
1136Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$47,866Annual Cost
$48,793Grad Salary
39.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
77.7%
Avg GPA
3.64
Avg SAT
1136
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1186
ACT Middle 50%
20–25
Need-Based Aid
39.4% receive Pell
Catawba College, established in 1851 in Salisbury, North Carolina, is a private liberal arts college ranked #18 in Regional Colleges South by U.S. News. Known for its environmental science, business, and theatre programs, Catawba's 276-acre campus includes the Center for the Environment and the Robertson College-Community Center. The college emphasizes experiential learning through internships at nearby Fortune 500 companies like Food Lion.
Catawba's blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services' addresses community health needs. The college's location near Charlotte provides cultural and professional opportunities. NCAA Division II athletics and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio foster a supportive, engaged community.
Catawba College Acceptance Rate
Catawba College runs an open-access admission policy — with a 77.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 77.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Catawba College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Catawba College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 109 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Catawba College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Catawba College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Catawba College is 3.64. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.34 and 3.64? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.84–4.04.Catawba College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.24 – 3.43
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.23
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Located in Salisbury, NC; UCC-affiliated liberal arts college; NCAA Division II.
- Center for the Environment: first college in the Southeast certified carbon neutral by Second Nature; achieved full carbon neutrality in 2023 (7 years ahead of goal).
- Dedicated ENV Merit Scholarship Day (next: Feb. 27, 2026) separate from general merit scholarship review.
- New Green Living Experience residential program (Fall 2025) for 2nd/3rd-year students with 3.0+ GPA.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Catawba College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Catawba College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Catawba College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Catawba College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Catawba College Without SAT or ACT?
Catawba College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Catawba College Average SAT Score: 1136
The average SAT score of admitted students at Catawba College is 1136 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1136 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1186 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Catawba College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1010, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Catawba College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 552 | 510 | 593 |
| SAT Reading | 547 | 500 | 593 |
| SAT Composite | 1136 | 1010 | 1186 |
Below 1010, you're behind most admitted students; at 1186 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Catawba College with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Catawba College's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Catawba College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Catawba College is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into Catawba College with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Catawba College's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Catawba College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Catawba College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Catawba College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Write your essay around a specific "contribute to the community" angle, not generic "I love the campus"
Catawba's supplemental essay explicitly asks how you'll "learn, create, research, explore, and grow" within their community - reference the Center for the Environment's ForestSmart Schools program, a specific major program day, or a specific opportunity (like the GIS and Technology minor housed within the Center) rather than writing about campus aesthetics alone.
If sustainability or environmental science interests you, attend an ENV Merit Scholarship Day
Catawba's Center for the Environment (first Southeast college certified carbon neutral by Second Nature) runs dedicated ENV Merit Scholarship Days (next: Feb. 27, 2026) - register through your admissions counselor specifically for this event, since it's a distinct, competitive scholarship opportunity tied to environmental/sustainability majors, not part of general merit consideration.
Ask about the Green Living Experience if sustainability is a lifestyle interest, not just an academic one
Starting Fall 2025, rising second- and third-year students with a 3.0+ GPA can apply for the Green Living Experience at Catawba Hall - a residential program supporting sustainable living practices - mention this as a longer-term goal in your application if it's genuinely part of why you're drawn to Catawba's environmental identity.
If you already have a specific major or interest, name it explicitly - Catawba's essay reader wants specificity over enthusiasm
The published essay guidance explicitly favors concrete examples (a specific major, a specific study-abroad country, a specific research interest) over broad statements of excitement - a Kinesiology applicant referencing Paralympic sport work, for instance, reads as stronger than a vague "I love helping people" line.
Expert Insight:
Applicants who write about Catawba's environmental reputation in only general "I care about the planet" terms miss the specificity readers are explicitly looking for - the published essay guidance signals that generic environmental enthusiasm without a concrete Catawba-specific hook (a program, a building, a scholarship day) reads as under-researched.
Catawba College Profile
Full Name
Catawba College
City
Salisbury
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28144
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Catawba College Degree Worth It?
At $47,866/year against a $48,793 median graduate salary, Catawba College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.35%.
How much does a degree from Catawba College Cost?
The sticker price is $47,866/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
39.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 59.8% take federal loans at Catawba College — file your FAFSA early and list Catawba College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Catawba College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,793 — about 20% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Catawba College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Catawba College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Catawba College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Catawba College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Catawba College Admissions
Median earnings for Catawba College graduates sit around $48,793 a year.
Catawba College costs roughly $47,866 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 39.4% receive a Pell Grant at Catawba College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 77.7%, Catawba College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Catawba College average a 3.64 GPA.
Catawba College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.34 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.24, Catawba College becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Catawba College — aim above 1136, ideally within the 1010–1186 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Catawba College is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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