Gardner-Webb University — College Profile

About

Located in the scenic foothills of Boiling Springs, North Carolina, Gardner-Webb University is a private Christian institution renowned for combining a compassionate, faith-centered community with rigorous academics. The university is particularly well-known for its premier professional programs, including the highly respected Hunt School of Nursing, the Godbold College of Business, and robust education pathways. On campus, students experience a vibrant, service-oriented culture that pairs active spiritual life and leadership opportunities with the high-energy excitement of Runnin' Bulldogs NCAA Division I athletics. Ultimately, Gardner-Webb stands out by offering the spirited atmosphere and competitive edge of a Division I school alongside the highly personalized mentorship, small class sizes, and tight-knit community of a small liberal arts college.

Wikipedia:Gardner–Webb University (GWU) is a private Baptist university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, United States. It was founded as Boiling Springs High School in 1905. Gardner–Webb is classified as a Doctoral/Professional university.

Location

Boiling Springs, NC, 28017-0997 · Rural campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

RDU · Raleigh-Durham

168 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$34,760

Housing & food (on campus)$11,410

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$55,852

Average net price$17,674

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$34,760

Housing & food (on campus)$11,410

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$55,852

Average net price$17,674

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: gardner-webb.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Gardner-Webb University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$36,350

Books & supplies$1,200

Personal expenses$3,562

Transportation$1,700

Total published by the school$55,852

Source: gardner-webb.edu · checked Sep 30, 2026

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$15,304

$30–48k

$14,594

$48–75k

$13,769

$75–110k

$15,946

$110k+

$22,438

Your family's actual price → Gardner-Webb University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

59%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

48%

Back for yr 2

55%

Transferred

33%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

51% graduated · 27% transferred · 22% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$43,996

10 yrs after entry$48,039

Debt

Median at graduation$24,222

Monthly payment$257

Middle 50% owe$6.8k–$26.7k

90th percentile$33,899

Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

77%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1113

R 495–608 · M 480–590

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–25 · E 19–25 · M 17–25

SAT middle 50%: 975–1198

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Gardner-Webb University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 38%Women 62%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

12 : 1

Pell grant

37%

First-gen

35%

Family income

$36,485

Independent

36%

Age at entry

25.0

Part-time

12%

Race & ethnicity

White

49%

Hispanic

Black

16%

Asian

Two or more

AI/AN

Unknown

27%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's
Wrestling
Men's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$43,996

After 10 yrs

$48,039

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing74

Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology39

Business Administration, Management and Operations37

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods35

Psychology, General26

Criminal Justice and Corrections25

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences20

Accounting and Related Services20

Biology, General19

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness17

Communication and Media Studies13

Religion/Religious Studies11

English Language and Literature, General10

Health and Medical Administrative Services9

Finance and Financial Management Services9

American Sign Language8

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$79M

Full-time faculty

99%

Faculty salary

$7,375/mo

Teaching spend

$8,808

per student

Federal loans

47%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral/Professional University

Undergraduate profile