GWU vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 3,104 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

GWU vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or UNC Charlotte? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than GWU ($15,045 vs. $20,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 21.1% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($11,410 vs. $14,458).
• Gardner Webb University is 380.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $27,521 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at GWU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $12,268 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 240% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($27,088 vs. $7,966).

GWU vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GWU or UNC Charlotte? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Charlotte and GWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 150 points higher than at GWU (1090).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at GWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gardner Webb University 975/1198; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gardner Webb University 19/25; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GWU - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman GWU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

GWU vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GWU and UNC Charlotte? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Gardner Webb University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $1,969 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,969).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.