KWC vs. GWU

Kentucky Wesleyan College and Gardner Webb University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Gardner Webb University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KWC (71.6% admitted vs 77.2%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $20,999 at KWC vs $20,016 at GWU. GWU in-state tuition is about $87 more per year.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs GWU 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs GWU $40,500 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College Gardner Webb University
Acceptance rate
KWC more selective
KWC71.6%
GWU77.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
GWU higher
KWC890-1130
GWU975-1198
Average net price
About even
KWC$20,999
GWU$20,016
In-state tuition
KWC $87 less
KWC$34,673
GWU$34,760
Out-of-state tuition
KWC $87 less
KWC$34,673
GWU$34,760
Graduation rate
GWU +11 pts
KWC44%
GWU55%
Median earnings (10 years)
GWU +$2,000
KWC$38,500
GWU$40,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • GWU 5,212
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • GWU 4,024
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • GWU 77.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • GWU 11.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • GWU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • GWU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • GWU 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • GWU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • GWU Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • GWU
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • GWU 975-1198
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • GWU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • GWU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • GWU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • GWU $34,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • GWU $34,760
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • GWU $11,410
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • GWU $20,016
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • GWU $27,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • GWU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • GWU 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • GWU $40,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • GWU 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • GWU $24,969
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • GWU $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • GWU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • GWU
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • GWU Boiling Springs, NC
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • GWU Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • GWU 3,104
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • GWU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • GWU #691

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Gardner Webb University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (3,104 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Gardner Webb University is in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Gardner Webb University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 3.8% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($11,410 vs. $11,855).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at GWU than at Kentucky Wesleyan College (about $87 more per year; $34,760 vs. $34,673).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Gardner Webb University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($27,088 vs. $25,538).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at GWU than at KWC (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KWC and GWU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at GWU average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 11.2% at GWU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $2,062 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($22,907 vs. $24,969).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($236 vs. $258).
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 52%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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