Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and Catawba

Western Carolina University and Catawba College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC and Catawba is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Salisbury, NC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Western Carolina is a public and Catawba is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Catawba has more expensive tuition & fees ($34,300) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to Catawba than Western Carolina.
  • Western Carolina has a higher submitted SAT score (1,180) than Catawba (1,110).
  • Western Carolina has higher submitted ACT score (23) than Catawba (21).
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while Catawba has 1,376 students.
  • Catawba has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Western Carolina's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while Catawba has 78 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Carolina Universityvs.Catawba College
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationSalisbury, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$34,300
65%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$29,231
81.83 %Acceptance Rates75.21 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.50 %
1,180SAT Score1,110
23ACT Score21
60 %Graduation Rate47 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate-
79 %Retention Rate77 %
11,686Student Population1,376
549Number of Faculties78
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services