C
Average
Score: 51/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
47/100 · earnings-weighted

Gardner-Webb University

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Boiling Springs, North Carolina 28017
Gardner-Webb University campus, Boiling Springs, NC
Gardner-Webb University campus, Boiling Springs, NC. Photo: Tomchartjr85, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 62%
Outcomes
B
72/100
Affordability
F
15/100
Resources
C+
59/100
Experience
B
72/100
Prestige
D
35/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

3,125
Total Enrollment
62%
Graduation Rate
69%
Retention Rate
11.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
87%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Gardner-Webb University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$48,039
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$43,996
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$24,222
Median debt at graduation
55.4%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,113
Average SAT
21
Median ACT
37.1%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 50% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 35th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (NC wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Gardner-Webb University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$71,337$75,117-16%#881 of 966#817$18,875
Computer Science—$68,175-36%#335 of 349#327—
Business Administration, Management and Operations$42,840$61,489-10%#739 of 1176#590$26,980
Accounting and Related Services$44,261$58,918-23%#738 of 796#682$24,511
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness—$58,061+6%#160 of 610#114—
Criminal Justice and Corrections$35,433$51,709-7%#447 of 660#348$24,580
Psychology—$49,587-2%#534 of 1027#317$21,375
Biology—$48,505-15%#727 of 841#653$27,000
Health and Medical Administrative Services$39,472$47,089-20%#243 of 275#230$24,289
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$39,850$45,110-5%#487 of 680#408$27,000
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$34,491$42,936-15%#50 of 59#46$25,886
Communication and Media Studies—$35,982-36%#650 of 660#644—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Gardner-Webb University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $234,578
  • Avg rent near campus: $837/mo — vs ~$601/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 28136 (5.2% cap, Polkville)

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🏆 Where Gardner-Webb University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#6
Community Psychology
of 6 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $32,470 $32,470
Room $5,410
Board $5,360
Total Cost (On-Campus) $47,620 $47,620

Financial Aid

99%
Receive Any Aid
40%
Receive Pell Grants
90%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

3,125
Total Students
67%
Women
75%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 48%
Hispanic 3%
Black 25%
Asian 2%
Two or More 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 36%
Hybrid (Some Online) 27%
Fully Online 37%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 75%
25-64 (Adult) 25%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Gardner-Webb University?
Gardner-Webb University has an acceptance rate of 87%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Gardner-Webb University?
Tuition at Gardner-Webb University is $32,470 for in-state students and $32,470 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Gardner-Webb University?
The graduation rate at Gardner-Webb University is 62%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is Gardner-Webb University a good school?
Gardner-Webb University has a Repit College Score of 51/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Gardner-Webb University?
Gardner-Webb University has a total enrollment of 3,125 students. Most students (75%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Gardner-Webb University

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

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Wingate University
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology