GWU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Coastal Carolina University is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 3,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

GWU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina University than GWU ($14,379 vs. $20,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 6.1% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($11,410 vs. $12,146).
• Gardner Webb University is 198.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $23,120 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at GWU than at Coastal Carolina University (about $5,132 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at Coastal Carolina University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 168.5% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($27,088 vs. $10,087).

GWU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GWU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina and GWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at GWU (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at GWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 975/1198; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 19/25; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GWU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• GWU has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

GWU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GWU and Coastal Carolina? 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).

• Gardner Webb University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $39 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($24,930 vs. $24,969).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($257 vs. $258).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.