GWU vs. SU

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

GWU SU
Location Boiling Springs, NC Winchester, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 3,144 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #537
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GWU SU
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $33,790
Room & Board $10,770 $11,230
Avg Net Price $22,339 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

GWU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 2,296
Admitted 4,293 1,845
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 80.4%
Enrolled % 9.4% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1210 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

GWU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

GWU SU
Graduation Rate 55% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

GWU SU
% Men 32% 32%
% Women 68% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 59%
% Black 17% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 10% 13%

Students

GWU SU
% In-State 54% 52%
% Out-of-State 41% 48%

Campus

GWU SU
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

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 3,144 students)

GWU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is 8.2% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.2% higher at SU than Gardner Webb University ($33,790.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than SU ($22,339 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.3% lower than costs at Shenandoah University ($10,770 vs. $11,230)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 2.8% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($24,130 vs. $23,467)

GWU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 28 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at SU (3.7)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GWU is higher than Shenandoah University (55% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $7,800 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $40,500)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $31 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($24,969 vs. $25,000)
  • Shenandoah University and GWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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