GWU Admission Requirements

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Boiling Springs, NC
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GWU Admission Overview

GWU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year GWU admitted 77.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.74 GPA (A-) and SAT 975-1198 / ACT 19-25. GWU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GWU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GWU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

77.2%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The GWU acceptance rate is 77.2%. Last year, 4,024 of 5,212 applicants were admitted. That is the 34th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into GWU and can you get accepted?

GWU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Gardner Webb University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.74. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GWU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.74

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.74

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at GWU typically have around a 3.74 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. GWU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #7 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

GWU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

975-1198

Freshmen who sent SAT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 495
Math 480
Composite 975

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 608
Math 590
Composite 1198

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at GWU typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 975–1198) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. GWU ranks #29 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 975 to 1198

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

GWU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Gardner Webb University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1198+	Above 75th	>86%
1090 to 1198	Avg +	77%-86%
975 to 1090	Avg -	64%-77%
Below 975	Below mid-50	<64%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

GWU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

38%

25th Percentile Scores

English 19
Math 17
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 25
Composite 25

Average ACT

Incoming testers at GWU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. GWU places #24 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to GWU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Gardner Webb University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
25+	Above 75th	>86%
22 to 25	Avg +	77%-86%
19 to 22	Avg -	64%-77%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<64%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

60% of Gardner Webb University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 34% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Gardner Webb University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	13%
Top 25% of class	34%
Top 50% of class	60%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the GWU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Gardner Webb University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,389	1,806	5,212
Accepted	2,697	1,325	4,024
Acceptance Rate	80%	73%	77%
Enrolled	250	200	450
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	9%	15%	11%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Gardner Webb University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Gardner Webb University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Gardner Webb University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Gardner Webb University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

GWU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 77.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.74 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (975-1198); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025