GWU vs. AU

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

 GWU AU
Location Boiling Springs, NC Danville, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 3,144 1,363
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #661
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu averett.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GWU AU
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $37,640
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $37,640
Room & Board $10,770 $11,360
Avg Net Price $22,339 $23,781
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $26,246
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 GWU AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 2,324
Admitted 4,293 1,767
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 76%
Enrolled % 9.4% 14.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.07
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 16/22
SAT Range 1020/1210 850/1170
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

Academics

 GWU AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 GWU AU
Graduation Rate 55% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $48,400
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

 GWU AU
% Men 32% 48%
% Women 68% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 58%
% Black 17% 33%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 10% 0%

Students

 GWU AU
% In-State 54% 46%
% Out-of-State 41% 45%

Campus

 GWU AU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Gardner Webb University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (3,144 students vs. 1,363 students)

GWU vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or AU?

  • Averett University is 20.6% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($37,640.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.6% higher at AU than Gardner Webb University ($37,640.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than AU ($22,339 vs. $23,781)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 5.5% lower than costs at Averett University ($10,770 vs. $11,360)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University as Averett University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 8.8% larger than aid received Gardner Webb University ($26,246 vs. $24,130)

GWU vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Gardner Webb University (977) is 64 points higher than at AU (913)
  • Incoming GWU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at AU (20)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at AU (3.07)
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or AU? 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 AU and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Averett University (55% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Averett University earn on average $7,900 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($48,400 vs. $40,500)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $31 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($24,969 vs. $25,000)
  • Averett University and GWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 51%)

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