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#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

GWU Admission Requirements

Boiling Springs, North Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Gardner Webb University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

74.9%
Admission Difficulty for Gardner Webb University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at GWU is 74.9%.  Its admission rate is the 35th lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into GWU and can you get accepted?

GWU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 4,293 out of the 5,728 who applied were admitted.

Gardner Webb University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.74. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into GWU?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Gardner Webb University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.74 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

GWU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.74

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Gardner Webb University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into GWU are to have around a 3.74 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as GWU accepts 75% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at GWU is 3.74 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since GWU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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GWU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Gardner Webb University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 16% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1020-1210

Applicants Submitting SAT 

16%
SAT Scores for Gardner Webb University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1020
SAT Scores for Gardner Webb University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1210
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Gardner Webb University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at GWU is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1210. Students who get into Gardner Webb University score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers..  GWU ranks #22 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. GWU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 920, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Gardner Webb University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1115, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

Gardner Webb University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1210 and Above Good >85%
1115 to 1210 Avg + 75%-85%
1020 to 1115 Avg - 61%-75%
925 to 1020 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 925 Low <45%
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GWU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

22%
ACT Scores for Gardner Webb University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Gardner Webb University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into GWU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to GWU is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 25.  The school ranks #24 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Gardner Webb University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Gardner Webb University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into GWU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 25 ACT score.

Gardner Webb University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >87%
22 to 25 Avg + 75%-87%
20 to 22 Avg - 64%-75%
18 to 20 Reach 52%-64%
Less than 18 Low <52%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

60% of Gardner Webb University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 34% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Gardner Webb University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 34%
Top 50% of class 60%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Gardner Webb University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,358 2,370 5,728
Accepted 2,528 1,765 4,293
Acceptance Rate 75% 74% 75%
Enrolled 216 187 403
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 11% 9%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Gardner Webb University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Gardner Webb University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Gardner Webb University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Gardner Webb University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because GWU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.74 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1120 on the SAT and 22 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Gardner Webb University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198561 IPEDS survey data for Gardner Webb University.

FAQs

Does Gardner Webb University prefer SAT or ACT?

16% of students submit their SAT scores to GWU. 22% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Gardner Webb University?

75% of those who apply are granted admission to GWU. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Gardner Webb University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1020 and 1210. The average SAT score is 1115. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Gardner Webb University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 20 and 25. The average ACT score is 22. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.