GWU vs. North Carolina Central University

Should I go to Gardner Webb University or North Carolina Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GWU or North Carolina Central 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. North Carolina Central University comparison
Gardner Webb University North Carolina Central University College 3 College 4
Gardner Webb University North Carolina Central University
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Overview

GWU North Carolina Central University
Location Boiling Springs, NC Durham, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 3,144 7,553
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #940
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $16,764
Room & Board $10,770 $11,864
Avg Net Price $22,339 $13,708
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $16,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

GWU North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 8,423
Admitted 4,293 7,107
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 84.4%
Enrolled % 9.4% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.27
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 15/23
SAT Range 1020/1210 810/1130
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

GWU North Carolina Central 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 (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

GWU North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 55% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $320

Diversity

GWU North Carolina Central University
% Men 32% 30%
% Women 68% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 67% 6%
% Black 17% 81%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

GWU North Carolina Central University
% In-State 54% 65%
% Out-of-State 41% 29%

Campus

GWU North Carolina Central 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

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or North Carolina Central University?

  • Gardner Webb University is 737.4% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.2% higher at GWU than North Carolina Central University ($31,220.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than GWU ($13,708 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 10.2% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,770 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 49.2% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($24,130 vs. $16,168)

GWU vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Gardner Webb University (977) is 98 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming GWU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than North Carolina Central University (55% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn on average $5,300 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $35,200)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $6,031 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($24,969 vs. $31,000)
  • GWU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($258 vs. $320)
  • More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 23%)

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