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PrivateRural

Gardner-Webb University

GWU

Boiling Springs, North Carolina 28017-0997

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitRuralSports culture

Known for health sciences

Gardner-Webb University is a private institution in Boiling Springs with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1146, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

62% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,039 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $24,137.

Established
1905
Motto
Pro Deo et Humanitate
Mascot
Mac and Lulu (costumed bulldogs) and Bo is the Live mascot
Type
Private university
Conference
Coastal Collegiate Sports Association
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

87%Acceptance
1146SAT Avg
1,836Students
11:1Student:Faculty
62%Grad Rate
$48,039Earnings 10yr
$24,137Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate87.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1146

Reading & WritingMid: 545
520640
MathMid: 543
520620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
2026

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,450
Room & Board$10,770
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$48,813
Average Net Price$24,137
Median Debt at Graduation$24,222
Monthly Payment (10yr)$257

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$21,744
$30–48K$19,750
$48–75K$19,334
$75–110K$25,534
$110K+$27,952

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

45.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,453

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (87)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,836
Gender Split
64% / 36%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 50%
Black 16%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.7%
Freshman Retention69.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,996
10 Years$48,039

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#356
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#294
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Runnin

BasketballGolfSwimmingSoccerTennisBasketball championshipGolf honorosGolf championshipSoccer makesTennis annual

History & Fun Facts

  • The institution's name, Boiling Springs High School, was decided on October 27, 1905, and its charter was accepted less than two months later by the school's trustees.
  • They provided clean water for the school when it began operation in 1907.
  • Huggins was made the high school's first principal on July 25, 1907.
  • Students lived in various homes in the community and used classrooms from the nearby elementary school until the building's completion in 1908.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

92Average

Estimated from NC state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
47 mi(81 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
174 mi(302 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
186 mi(322 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte41 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham168 mi
ATL Atlanta192 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA752 mi · ~21h 43m drive
New York, NY562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
Hartford, CT662 mi · ~19h 7m drive
Providence, RI716 mi · ~20h 41m drive
Albany, NY665 mi · ~19h 13m drive
Syracuse, NY614 mi · ~17h 44m drive
Rochester, NY588 mi · ~16h 59m drive
Buffalo, NY549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Philadelphia, PA482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA370 mi · ~10h 41m drive
Harrisburg, PA434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
Newark, NJ557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Washington, DC359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Baltimore, MD394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Atlanta, GA186 mi · ~5h 22m drive
Charlotte, NC47 mi · ~1h 21m drive
Raleigh, NC174 mi · ~5h 2m drive
Miami, FL661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Orlando, FL464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
Tampa, FL506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Nashville, TN294 mi · ~8h 30m drive
New Orleans, LA610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
Richmond, VA284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Chicago, IL560 mi · ~16h 11m drive
Detroit, MI495 mi · ~14h 18m drive
Minneapolis, MN908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
St. Louis, MO526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Kansas City, MO758 mi · ~21h 54m drive
Indianapolis, IN398 mi · ~11h 30m drive
Columbus, OH334 mi · ~9h 39m drive
Cleveland, OH432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI633 mi · ~18h 17m drive
Dallas, TX882 mi · ~25h 29m drive
Houston, TX883 mi · ~25h 31m drive
Austin, TX994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
San Antonio, TX1060 mi · ~30h 37m drive
Los Angeles, CA2069 mi · ~59h 46m drive
San Francisco, CA2252 mi · ~65h 3m drive
San Diego, CA2030 mi · ~58h 39m drive
Seattle, WA2242 mi · ~64h 46m drive
Portland, OR2244 mi · ~64h 50m drive
Denver, CO1312 mi · ~37h 54m drive
Phoenix, AZ1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1680 mi · ~48h 32m drive
Honolulu, HI4627 mi · ~133h 40m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Gardner-Webb University Application Checklist

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