Samford University vs. GWU

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

Samford University GWU
Location Birmingham, AL Boiling Springs, NC
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,682 3,144
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #639
Religious Affiliation Baptist Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu gardner-webb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University GWU
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $31,220
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $31,220
Room & Board $11,264 $10,770
Avg Net Price $31,803 $22,339
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $24,130
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Samford University GWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 5,728
Admitted 3,611 4,293
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 74.9%
Enrolled % 27% 9.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.74
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 20/25
SAT Range 1080/1270 1020/1210
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Samford University GWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Samford University GWU
Graduation Rate 70% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,969
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

Samford University GWU
% Men 32% 32%
% Women 68% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 67%
% Black 7% 17%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

Samford University GWU
% In-State 25% 54%
% Out-of-State 74% 41%

Campus

Samford University GWU
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

  • Samford University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 3,144 students)

Samford University vs. GWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or GWU?

  • Samford University is 14.5% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at Samford University than Gardner Webb University ($35,750.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than Samford University ($22,339 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.6% lower than costs at Samford University ($10,770 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 16.5% larger than aid received Samford University ($24,130 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. GWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 185 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at GWU (3.74)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than GWU (74.9%)

Samford University vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or GWU? 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 GWU and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Gardner Webb University (70% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $16,900 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $40,500)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $2,469 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,969)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 52%)

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