Culinary Institute of America vs. GWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Culinary Institute of America is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (3,147 students vs. 3,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting); Gardner Webb University is in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Culinary Institute of America 18:1; Gardner Webb University 12:1.

Culinary Institute of America vs. GWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or GWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than Culinary Institute of America ($20,016 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 24.1% lower than at Culinary Institute of America ($11,410 vs. $15,030).
• Culinary Institute of America is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than GWU (about $5,090 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Gardner Webb University (about $5,090 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at Culinary Institute of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 40% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($27,088 vs. $19,350).

Culinary Institute of America vs. GWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or GWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GWU and Culinary Institute of America.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gardner Webb University (1090) is 30 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming GWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 928/1183; Gardner Webb University 975/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 17/23; Gardner Webb University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Culinary Institute of America - Test optional; GWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at Culinary Institute of America vs. 11.2% at GWU.

Culinary Institute of America vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Culinary Institute of America and GWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $9,969 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,969).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.