Salisbury, NC · Private University
Is Catawba College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,793
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$33,400
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,400
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$133,600
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.46x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,210
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Catawba College graduates earn $3,793 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Catawba College ranked by graduate earnings
19 graduates
79 graduates
25 graduates
34 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Catawba College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Catawba College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $70,522) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $27,389) is $43,133/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI(1yr data) | $70,522 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,939 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,251 | 1.1x |
| Music | $32,378 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $32,323 | 1.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,889 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $27,389 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Catawba College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $48,793 10 years after starting, $3,793 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.