GWU vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with Meredith College in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gardner Webb University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (3,104 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Meredith College is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; Meredith College 10:1.

GWU vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or Meredith? 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 Meredith ($20,016 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 14.1% lower than at Meredith College ($11,410 vs. $13,280).
• Meredith College is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GWU (about $10,870 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Meredith than at Gardner Webb University (about $10,870 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University as at Meredith College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Gardner Webb University students ($33,116 vs. $27,088).

GWU vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 130 points higher than at GWU (1090).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at GWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 975/1198; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 19/25; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GWU - Test optional; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• GWU has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

GWU vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GWU and Meredith? 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).

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Gardner Webb University's (55%).
• Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gardner Webb University graduates have a $1,031 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($24,969 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GWU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.