GWU vs. CSU

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

GWU CSU
Location Boiling Springs, NC Charleston, SC
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 3,144 3,418
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #918
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu csuniv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU CSU
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $29,490
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $29,490
Room & Board $10,770 $11,250
Avg Net Price $22,339 $17,536
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $26,417
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

GWU CSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 4,967
Admitted 4,293 4,309
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 86.8%
Enrolled % 9.4% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.24
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 18/23
SAT Range 1020/1210 940/1170
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 CSU
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 (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

GWU CSU
Graduation Rate 55% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $39,800
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GWU CSU
% Men 32% 36%
% Women 68% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 61%
% Black 17% 26%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 4%

Students

GWU CSU
% In-State 54% 76%
% Out-of-State 41% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Charleston Southern University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (3,418 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or CSU?

  • Gardner Webb University is 5.9% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($31,220.00 vs. $29,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at GWU than Charleston Southern University ($31,220.00 vs. $29,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than GWU ($17,536 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.5% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($10,770 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 9.5% larger than aid received Gardner Webb University ($26,417 vs. $24,130)

GWU vs. CSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 53 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Charleston Southern University (55% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Gardner Webb University earn on average $700 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $39,800)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $2,031 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($24,969 vs. $27,000)
  • GWU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 50%)

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