GWU vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to Gardner Webb University or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GWU or Austin Peay State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Gardner Webb University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Gardner Webb University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Gardner Webb University Austin Peay State University
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Overview

GWU Austin Peay State University
Location Boiling Springs, NC Clarksville, TN
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 3,144 9,326
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #912
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $12,360
Room & Board $10,770 $12,274
Avg Net Price $22,339 $16,140
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $10,232
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

GWU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 6,362
Admitted 4,293 5,969
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 93.8%
Enrolled % 9.4% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.3
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 18/24
SAT Range 1020/1210 983/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2025

Academics

GWU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

GWU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 55% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $232

Diversity

GWU Austin Peay State University
% Men 32% 40%
% Women 68% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 63%
% Black 17% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 6%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

GWU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 54% 88%
% Out-of-State 41% 11%

Campus

GWU Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (9,326 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Gardner Webb University is 358% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 152.6% higher at GWU than Austin Peay State University ($31,220.00 vs. $12,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than GWU ($16,140 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 14% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,770 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Austin Peay State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 135.8% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($24,130 vs. $10,232)

GWU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GWU or Austin Peay State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Austin Peay State University or GWU .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 34 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or Austin Peay State University? 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 Austin Peay State University and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Austin Peay State University (55% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $2,469 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,969)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/