Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
WKU Campbell University NKU Kentucky Wingate University Lenoir-Rhyne University Morehead State University BAC Louisville Cumberland College CSU ETSU| Eastern Kentucky University | Gardner Webb University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Eastern | GWU | ||
| Location | Richmond, KY | Boiling Springs, NC | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 14,324 | 3,144 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #854 | #639 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Southern Baptist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | eku.edu | gardner-webb.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Eastern | GWU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,544 | $31,220 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $19,922 | $31,220 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,360 | $10,770 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,806 | $22,339 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,583 | $24,130 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Eastern | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 15,821 | 5,728 | ||
| Admitted | 10,174 | 4,293 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 64.3% | 74.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 26.9% | 9.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.39 | 3.74 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 20/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1185 | 1020/1210 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Eastern | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Eastern | GWU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 55% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $40,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 49% | 52% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,695 | $24,969 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $245 | $258 |
Diversity |
Eastern | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 85% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 17% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 0% | ||
| % International | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 10% |
Students |
Eastern | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 9% | 41% | ||
Campus |
Eastern | GWU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (14,324 students vs. 3,144 students)
Eastern vs. GWU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Eastern or GWU?
- Gardner Webb University is 227.1% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $9,544.00)
- Out of state tuition is 56.7% higher at GWU than Eastern Kentucky University ($31,220.00 vs. $19,922.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than GWU ($10,806 vs. $22,339)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 4% lower than costs at Gardner Webb University ($10,360 vs. $10,770)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 128% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($24,130 vs. $10,583)
Eastern vs. GWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or GWU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GWU or Eastern .
- The average SAT score at Eastern Kentucky University (1028) is 51 points higher than at GWU (977)
- Incoming Eastern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GWU (21)
- Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Eastern (3.39)
- GWU has a higher acceptance rate (74.9%) than Eastern (64.3%)
Eastern vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Eastern or GWU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between GWU and Eastern.
- The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (55% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Eastern graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $37,900)
- Eastern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,274 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($23,695 vs. $24,969)
- Eastern graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($245 vs. $258)
- More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 49%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/