Gardner-Webb University (GWU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Boiling Springs, NC that costs an average of $21,150 a year after financial aid, admits 77% of applicants and graduates 48% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$21,150
Acceptance rate
77%
Graduation rate
48%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$53,543
Private nonprofitRural (distant)1,856 undergraduates
Cost of GWU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $51,623 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $36,350 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,500 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $21,150 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $19,391 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $14,920 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $14,225 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $17,365 |
| $110,001+ | $26,450 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with GWU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 77% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,113 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 495–608 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 480–590 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 19–25 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 48% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 55% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $46,281 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $53,543 |
| Rank in North Carolina (earnings) | 23rd of 55 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $22,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $250 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 40% |
| Students with federal loans | 47% |
Majors and programs at GWU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (38)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 150 | $81,099 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 41 | $54,863 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 53 | $51,039 | $23,199 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 74 | $47,508 | $22,765 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 77 | $44,170 | $27,643 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 75 | $42,807 | $25,694 |
| American Sign Language | 22 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 1 | — | — |
| Biology | 42 | — | $23,250 |
| Chemistry | 9 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 29 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 16 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 10 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 4 | — | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 14 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 22 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 9 | — | — |
| Fire Protection | 1 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 14 | — | — |
| History | 4 | — | — |
| International Business | 10 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Journalism | 4 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 6 | — | — |
| Marketing | 15 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 7 | — | — |
| Music | 11 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 34 | — | $19,500 |
| Political Science and Government | 11 | — | — |
| Psychology | 58 | — | $19,500 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 21 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | — | — | — |
| Sociology | 9 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 30 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 3 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 23 | — | $18,000 |
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (20)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 65 | $114,014 | $147,012 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 42 | $95,767 | $37,729 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 32 | $75,310 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 194 | $74,736 | $21,591 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 279 | $63,383 | $21,092 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 27 | $53,190 | $31,370 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 24 | $38,194 | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 31 | — | $34,166 |
| English Language and Literature | 24 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 3 | — | — |
| International Business | 6 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 16 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 14 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 28 | — | $27,333 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 47 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 15 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 15 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 70 | $115,561 | $49,754 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 56 | $92,637 | $70,583 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 45 | $88,074 | $58,347 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 37 | $74,096 | $57,640 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 4 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 8 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (12)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 9 | $69,442 | $20,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 2 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 2 | — | — |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | — | — | — |
| Marketing | 3 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2 | — | — |
Similar colleges in North Carolina
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson College | Davidson | $15,060 | 13% | $89,297 |
| University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive | $18,927 | 76% | $54,851 |
| Methodist University | Fayetteville | $25,760 | 75% | $54,558 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | $18,641 | 85% | $54,752 |
| Wingate University | Wingate | $21,511 | 91% | $57,646 |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek | $25,057 | 87% | $59,026 |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont | $25,416 | 75% | $53,850 |
| Johnson C Smith University | Charlotte | $21,397 | 45% | $44,849 |
About GWU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Boiling Springs, NC |
| Setting | Rural (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 1,856 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | gardner-webb.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is GWU's acceptance rate?
Gardner-Webb University admits 77% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,113 on the SAT.
How much does GWU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $51,623 a year (tuition and fees: $36,350). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $21,150 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $19,391.
How much do GWU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $53,543 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 23rd of 55 similar colleges in North Carolina. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($81,099 a year after graduation).
What is GWU's graduation rate?
48% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 55% of first-year students return for a second year.