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Campbell University JMU Wingate University Lenoir-Rhyne University University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University BAC CSU Longwood University Liberty University| Gardner Webb University | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
GWU | SU | ||
| Location | Boiling Springs, NC | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,144 | 4,260 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #639 | #537 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Southern Baptist | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | gardner-webb.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
GWU | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $31,220 | $33,790 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $31,220 | $33,790 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,770 | $11,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,339 | $26,143 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $24,130 | $23,467 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
GWU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,728 | 2,296 | ||
| Admitted | 4,293 | 1,845 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.9% | 80.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 9.4% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.74 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/25 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1210 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
GWU | SU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
GWU | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 55% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $40,500 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 52% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,969 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $258 |
Diversity |
GWU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 32% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 68% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 17% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 10% | 13% |
Students |
GWU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 54% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 41% | 48% | ||
Campus |
GWU | SU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Shenandoah University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 3,144 students)
GWU vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, GWU or SU?
- Shenandoah University is 8.2% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $31,220.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.2% higher at SU than Gardner Webb University ($33,790.00 vs. $31,220.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than SU ($22,339 vs. $26,143)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.3% lower than costs at Shenandoah University ($10,770 vs. $11,230)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 2.8% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($24,130 vs. $23,467)
GWU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, GWU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or GWU .
- The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 28 points higher than at GWU (977)
- Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GWU (21)
- Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at SU (3.7)
- SU has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than GWU (74.9%)
GWU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, GWU or SU? 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 SU and GWU.
- The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Shenandoah University (55% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $7,800 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $40,500)
- Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $31 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($24,969 vs. $25,000)
- Shenandoah University and GWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
- More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/