GWU vs. UNCW

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

GWU UNCW
Location Boiling Springs, NC Wilmington, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 3,144 17,843
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #377
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU UNCW
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $19,063
Room & Board $10,770 $12,120
Avg Net Price $22,339 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 56%

Admission

GWU UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 16,860
Admitted 4,293 11,605
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 68.8%
Enrolled % 9.4% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 24/29
SAT Range 1020/1210 1220/1370
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

GWU UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

GWU UNCW
Graduation Rate 55% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $211

Diversity

GWU UNCW
% Men 32% 34%
% Women 68% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 78%
% Black 17% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 3%

Students

GWU UNCW
% In-State 54% 80%
% Out-of-State 41% 19%

Campus

GWU UNCW
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

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (17,843 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or UNCW?

  • Gardner Webb University is 602.7% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.8% higher at GWU than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($31,220.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Wilmington than GWU ($18,709 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 12.5% lower than costs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($10,770 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (100% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 288.1% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($24,130 vs. $6,217)

GWU vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1162) is 185 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming UNCW students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UNCW (3.56)
  • GWU has a higher acceptance rate (74.9%) than UNCW (68.8%)

GWU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or UNCW? 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 UNCW and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than Gardner Webb University (67% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington earn on average $4,200 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($44,700 vs. $40,500)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington students graduate with a $4,469 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,969)
  • UNCW graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($211 vs. $258)
  • More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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