GWU vs. NC State

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

 GWU NC State
Location Boiling Springs, NC Raleigh, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 3,144 36,700
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #123
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu ncsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GWU NC State
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $6,535
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $28,276
Room & Board $10,770 $12,748
Avg Net Price $22,339 $14,852
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $9,181
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 71%

Admission

 GWU NC State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 35,568
Admitted 4,293 16,779
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 47.2%
Enrolled % 9.4% 33.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.83
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 28/33
SAT Range 1020/1210 1280/1460
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 GWU NC State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 GWU NC State
Graduation Rate 55% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $57,200
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $20,782
Median Loan Payment $258 $214

Diversity

 GWU NC State
% Men 32% 51%
% Women 68% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 74%
% Black 17% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

 GWU NC State
% In-State 54% 83%
% Out-of-State 41% 14%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (36,700 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or NC State?

  • Gardner Webb University is 377.7% more expensive to attend than NC State for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.4% higher at GWU than North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($31,220.00 vs. $28,276.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than GWU ($14,852 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 18.4% lower than costs at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($10,770 vs. $12,748)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 71%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 162.8% larger than aid received North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($24,130 vs. $9,181)

GWU vs. NC State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 287 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at GWU (3.74)
  • GWU has a higher acceptance rate (74.9%) than NC State (47.2%)

GWU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or NC State? 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 NC State and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at NC State is higher than Gardner Webb University (72% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn on average $16,700 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($57,200 vs. $40,500)
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate with a $4,187 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($20,782 vs. $24,969)
  • NC State graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($214 vs. $258)
  • More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 52%)

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