Catawba College vs University of North Carolina at Asheville
Catawba College and the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) are two distinct institutions offering unique educational experiences. Catawba, a private liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized attention and undergraduate research opportunities. UNCA, a public liberal arts university, is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in the arts and sciences, and its commitment to sustainability. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Catawba College |
![]() University of North Carolina at Asheville |
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Overview |
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Location | Salisbury, North Carolina | Asheville, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 56.1% | 81.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 990 - 1150 | 1130 - 1330 |
ACT range | 18 - 26 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | 17.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 49.0% | 33.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,199 | 4,550 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,234 | 3,714 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 264 | 605 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 16.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $46,262 |
In state:
$22,331
Out of state:
$39,679
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Average net price | $19,276 | $13,838 |
Tuition | $32,380 |
In state:
$4,122
Out of state:
$21,470
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,564
Meal plan:
$4,566
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Room/dormitory:
$5,778
Meal plan:
$4,470
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $26,327 |
90.0%
Average amount $7,610 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
63.0%
Average amount $5,262 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,008 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $11,314 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,387 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,142
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
3,233
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
Graduate students |
65
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 15.8% |
International students | 5.2% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 688 | 1,575 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Carolina Florida South Carolina Virginia Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.8% | 64.6% |
Dropout rate | 39.5% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 25.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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