Catawba College
Catawba College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Catawba College at a Glance
Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, North Carolina. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its current home of Salisbury in 1925. Catawba College still holds loose ties with the successor to the Reformed Church, the United Church of Christ. It offers over 70 undergraduate degrees. As of August 2024, Catawba has an endowment over $580 million.
1851
175 years old
$580M
$580,000,000
1,241
1,153 undergrad · 88 grad
78
Identity
Is Catawba College Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Catawba College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,793 — 9% below average — while paying $17,879/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Catawba College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Catawba College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #51 of 153 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #51 | Catawba College | 34 | $17,879 | $48,793 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Catawba College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in NC.
Best Programs at Catawba College
The highest-earning program at Catawba College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $43,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $20,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Catawba College earns $43,900, while a Music graduate earns $20,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,800 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,879/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,900 | $43,900 | $23,800 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,700 | $33,700 | $14,436 |
| Biology, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $26,500 |
| Music | $20,700 | $20,700 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Salisbury, NC
- Student Body
- 1,235 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,879
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,793
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000