Gardner-Webb University

www.gardner-webb.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$33,770

4% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$20,016

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

77.2%

5,212 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

3,104

66.6% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

54.4%

215 Graduates

About

Gardner-Webb University is a higher education institution located in Cleveland County, NC. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Gardner-Webb University were General Educational Leadership & Administration (106 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (99 degrees), and Physician Assistant (33 degrees).

In 2024, 977 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Gardner-Webb University. 68.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 31.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (574 degrees), 2.62 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (219 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Gardner-Webb University is $33,770, which is $1,850 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Gardner-Webb University is $33,770, which is $1,850 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,016.

In 2024, 82% of undergraduate students attending Gardner-Webb University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 47% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$33,770

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Gardner-Webb University was $33,770. The cost of tuition at Gardner-Webb University is $1,850 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Gardner-Webb University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$20,016

2024 Value

16.7%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Gardner-Webb University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,016. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Gardner-Webb University grew by 16.7%.

This chart compares the average net price of Gardner-Webb University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$8,235

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Gardner-Webb University was of $8,235 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 1.86% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 16.7% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Gardner-Webb University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

82%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

47%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

82% of undergraduate students at Gardner-Webb University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 17.1% with respect to 2023, when 70% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Gardner-Webb University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Gardner-Webb University received 5,212 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 11.6% annual growth. Out of those 5,212 applicants, 4,024 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 77.2% acceptance rate.

There were 3,104 students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University in 2024. 10% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Gardner-Webb University has an overall enrollment yield of 11.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

77.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

4,024

Accepted Out of 5,212

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Gardner-Webb University was 77.2% (4,024 admissions from 5,212 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 87%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 11.6%, while admissions declined by 0.984%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Gardner-Webb University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

10%

Submission Percentage (2024)

Scores Submitted (2024)

10% of enrolled first-time students at Gardner-Webb University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Gardner-Webb University had a total enrollment of 3,104 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Gardner-Webb University is 2,067 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,037. This means that 66.6% of students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Gardner-Webb University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 46.6% White, 24.6% Black or African American, 3.16% Hispanic or Latino, 2.13% Two or More Races, 1.29% Asian, 0.773% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0966% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (30.3%), followed by White Male (17.4%) and Black or African American Female (7.91%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (31.5%), followed by Black or African American Female (20.7%) and White Male (10.4%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

66.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Gardner-Webb University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 3,104 students. The full-time enrollment at Gardner-Webb University is 2,067 and the part-time enrollment is 1,037. This means that 66.6% of students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Gardner-Webb University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

55%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Gardner-Webb University was 55%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Gardner-Webb University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Gardner-Webb University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,445 enrolled students
Black or African American
765 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
98 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Gardner-Webb University is 46.6% White, 24.6% Black or African American, 3.16% Hispanic or Latino, 2.13% Two or More Races, 1.29% Asian, 0.773% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0966% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 661 students (21.3%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 359 more women than men received degrees from Gardner-Webb University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Gardner-Webb University is white (574 degrees awarded). There were 2.62 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (219 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Gardner-Webb University is General Educational Leadership & Administration (106 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (99 degrees) and Physician Assistant (33 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Gardner-Webb University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Education (234 degrees awarded), Philosophy and Religious Studies (13 degrees), and Language & Linguistics (19 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Gardner-Webb University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,514,113 people), Secondary school teachers (504,171 people), Education administrators (266,155 people), Special education teachers (199,495 people), and Preschool & kindergarten teachers (181,641 people).

The most specialized majors at Gardner-Webb University in 2024 are Education (234 degrees awarded), Philosophy and Religious Studies (13 degrees), Language & Linguistics (19 degrees), Theology (16 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (42 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Gardner-Webb University are Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Economists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Gardner-Webb University are Education (234 degrees awarded), Philosophy and Religious Studies (13 degrees), Language & Linguistics (19 degrees), Theology (16 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (42 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Gardner-Webb University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,786,450 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (309,995 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (197,148 people), Religious organizations (158,480 people), and Child day care services (98,391 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Gardner-Webb University.

Registered Nursing

Most Common (2024)

10 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Gardner-Webb University was Registered Nursing with 10 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Gardner-Webb University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

309

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

668

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 309 degrees were awarded to men at Gardner-Webb University, which is 0.463 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (668).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Gardner-Webb University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 68 degrees were awarded to men at Gardner-Webb University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.932 times less than the 73 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 105 degrees were awarded to men at Gardner-Webb University in General Educational Leadership & Administration, which is 3.28 times more than the 32 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

41%

100% Completion Time

52%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 41% of students graduating from Gardner-Webb University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 52% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 52% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Hispanic or Latino Female

Highest Graduation Rate (71.4%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Gardner-Webb University is Female and Hispanic or Latino (71.4% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
574 degrees awarded
Black or African American
219 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
39 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Gardner-Webb University is white (574 degrees awarded). There were 2.62 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (219 degrees).

10.2% of degree recipients (100 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
961 degrees awarded
White Female
792 degrees awarded
White Female
685 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Gardner-Webb University is white female (961 degrees awarded). There were 1.21 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (792 degrees).

Operations

Gardner-Webb University has an endowment valued at nearly $79.2M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 8.92M (11.3%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Gardner-Webb University had a total salary expenditure of 69.2M. Gardner-Webb University employs 60 Professors, 35 Assistant professors and 28 Associate professors. Most academics at Gardner-Webb University are Male Professor (31), Female Professor (29), and Female Assistant professor (22).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Gardner-Webb University are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 96 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 62 employees, and Service with 38 employees.

Endowment

$79.2M

2024 Endowment

9.34%

growth from 2023

Gardner-Webb University has an endowment valued at about $79.2M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Gardner-Webb University grew 9.34% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $173M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Gardner-Webb University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$26.4M

2024 Salaries

1.13%

decline from 2023

In 2024, Gardner-Webb University paid a median of $26.4M in salaries, which represents 38.2% of their overall expenditure ($69.2M) and a 1.13% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 1.41% decline between 2022 and 2023, and a 0.858% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$9.81M

Instructional Salaries

139

Number of Employees

In 2024, Gardner-Webb University paid a total of $9.81M to 139 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Gardner-Webb University were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 96 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 62 employees, and Service with 38 employees.

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