GWU vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Gardner Webb University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GWU or PennWest California 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Gardner Webb University vs. PennWest California comparison
Gardner Webb University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Gardner Webb University PennWest California
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

GWU PennWest California
Location Boiling Springs, NC California, PA
Setting Rural Fringe Town Fringe
Enrollment 3,144 6,509
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #1033
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $11,574
Room & Board $10,770 $10,416
Avg Net Price $22,339 -
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 0%

Admission

GWU PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 -
Admitted 4,293 -
Acceptance Rate 74.9%
Enrolled % 9.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.31
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 18/24
SAT Range 1020/1210 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2024

Academics

GWU PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

GWU PennWest California
Graduation Rate 55% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

GWU PennWest California
% Men 32% 39%
% Women 68% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 77%
% Black 17% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

GWU PennWest California
% In-State 54% 86%
% Out-of-State 41% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or PennWest California?

  • Gardner Webb University is 304.6% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 169.7% higher at GWU than PennWest California ($31,220.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 3.4% lower than costs at Gardner Webb University ($10,416 vs. $10,770)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than PennWest California (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($24,130 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Gardner Webb University (977) is 55 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming GWU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PennWest California (3.31)

GWU vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and GWU.

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than PennWest California (55% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $2,000 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $40,500)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $31 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($24,969 vs. $25,000)
  • PennWest California and GWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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