Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Catawba College #1214 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,677 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 14.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Catawba College #1115 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for its student population. Catawba College delivers meaningful value through its business-focused programs and mobility outcomes. The institution's composite ranking balances access with strong graduate earnings relative to cost.
Azimuth ranks Catawba College #1214 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Salisbury, North Carolina, Catawba College enrolls roughly 1,235 undergraduates. Retention is 77.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 47.3%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Catawba College performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Catawba College #1296 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,677 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Catawba College in the 14.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's focus on Business and applied fields that connect directly to career outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Catawba College sits in the 45.4 percentile for access and the 52.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 41.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 29.9% are first-generation college students. Mobility outcomes rank in the 24.7 percentile, indicating that while the institution enrolls a selective cohort, graduates move into stable career pathways and achieve earnings that outperform expectations relative to comparable private institutions.
Catawba College's published cost of attendance is $49,516. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,618, middle-income families pay around $15,412, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,420. Azimuth ranks Catawba College #680 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Catawba College participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need through a combination of institutional aid and federal/state programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $30,535; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,190, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Catawba College is a good fit for students seeking a private liberal arts experience in NC with a focus on Business and related fields. Its outcomes are especially compelling for students who value personalized attention and a strong sense of community. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $49,190, placing Catawba College in the 9.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,677 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 14.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports access for Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 41.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 29.9% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $24,420, and the institution commits to meeting demonstrated financial need in full under current financial aid policies. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 75.2% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Catawba College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Catawba College's published cost of attendance is $49,516. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,618, middle-income families pay around $15,412, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,420.
Azimuth ranks Catawba College #680 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Catawba College participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants.
The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need through a combination of institutional aid and federal/state programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $30,535; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,190, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Catawba College earn median 4-year earnings of $49,190, placing Catawba College in the 9.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,677 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Catawba College in the 14.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Catawba College #1296 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Catawba College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 46 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,296, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 45 students and earns median 4-year earnings of $60,718, also tracking above benchmark expectations.
Teacher Education and Biology, General round out the top programs, with Teacher Education enrolling 26 graduates earning $48,982 and Biology, General enrolling 24 graduates earning $52,583.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
27 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
45 graduates
Biology, General
24 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
26 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
6 graduates
Catawba College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional liberal arts identity. Kinesiology is the largest program with 46 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Nursing, Teacher Education, and Biology, General.
The dominant program family, Business, accounts for a substantial share of degrees and shapes the institution's career-outcomes profile across 15 programs. The highest-earning programs cluster in business and applied fields.
Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,718 with 45 graduates, while Biology, General delivers median earnings of $52,583 and Teacher Education reaches $48,982. These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles in accounting, finance, management, and related professional fields.
Communication and Media Studies and Kinesiology round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating consistent strength across applied business and professional disciplines. The concentration in Business and related applied fields positions Catawba College as a career-focused institution where program choice directly correlates with early-career financial outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand, particularly in accounting, business administration, and management roles where Catawba College graduates show competitive earnings trajectories.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan Similar quality tier (#33869 ranked) | PR | 61% | $22,844 | #33869 | Compare |
Methodist University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#33870 ranked) | NC | 75% | $48,050 | #33870 | Compare |
Grace College And Theological Seminary Similar quality tier (#33865 ranked) | IN | 82% | $45,411 | #33865 | Compare |
Westminster College Similar quality tier (#33871 ranked) | MO | 79% | $52,199 | #33871 | Compare |
Thomas College Similar quality tier (#33873 ranked) | ME | 96% | $44,991 | #33873 | Compare |
