GWU vs. Wright State

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wright State University Main Campus is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (10,603 students vs. 3,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

GWU vs. Wright State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or Wright State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wright State University Main Campus than GWU ($15,254 vs. $20,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 1.4% lower than at Gardner Webb University ($11,250 vs. $11,410).
• Gardner Webb University is 201.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wright State (about $23,238 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $11,522.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.8% higher at GWU than at Wright State University Main Campus (about $13,538 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $21,222.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at Wright State University Main Campus (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 202.9% larger than aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students ($27,088 vs. $8,942).

GWU vs. Wright State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GWU or Wright State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wright State and GWU.

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gardner Webb University (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wright State (1070).
• Incoming GWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 975/1198; Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gardner Webb University 19/25; Wright State University Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GWU - Test optional; Wright State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Wright State (3.41).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

GWU vs. Wright State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GWU and Wright State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Gardner Webb University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gardner Webb University graduates have a $31 lower median loan debt than Wright State graduates ($24,969 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wright State University Main Campus and GWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.