GWU vs. WSSU

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

 GWU WSSU
Location Boiling Springs, NC Winston-Salem, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 3,144 5,004
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #956
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu wssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GWU WSSU
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $3,401
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $14,057
Room & Board $10,770 $11,220
Avg Net Price $22,339 $14,097
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $8,350
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

 GWU WSSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 7,628
Admitted 4,293 5,598
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 73.4%
Enrolled % 9.4% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.01
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 14/19
SAT Range 1020/1210 830/1050
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 15, 2025

Academics

 GWU WSSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

 GWU WSSU
Graduation Rate 55% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $35,700
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $25,663
Median Loan Payment $258 $265

Diversity

 GWU WSSU
% Men 32% 24%
% Women 68% 76%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 67% 16%
% Black 17% 72%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

 GWU WSSU
% In-State 54% 82%
% Out-of-State 41% 16%

Campus

 GWU WSSU
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

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (5,004 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or WSSU?

  • Gardner Webb University is 818% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 122.1% higher at GWU than Winston Salem State University ($31,220.00 vs. $14,057.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than GWU ($14,097 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.2% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($10,770 vs. $11,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 189% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($24,130 vs. $8,350)

GWU vs. WSSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Gardner Webb University (977) is 107 points higher than at WSSU (870)
  • Incoming GWU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at WSSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at WSSU (3.01)
  • GWU has a higher acceptance rate (74.9%) than WSSU (73.4%)

GWU vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Winston Salem State University (55% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn on average $4,800 more per year than WSSU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $35,700)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $694 lower median federal student loan debt than WSSU graduates. ($24,969 vs. $25,663)
  • GWU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than WSSU graduates. ($258 vs. $265)
  • More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 33%)

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