Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina · Private Nonprofit · 77.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 35/100 · Poor Value
Gardner-Webb University scores 35 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution is a Baptist-affiliated private university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with 1,856 enrolled students and a net price of $17,674. The repayment rate sub-score of 17 is the most alarming figure: only 59.1% of borrowers are reducing principal at three years, meaning more than 4 in 10 borrowers are not making progress on their debt. Combined with a 55.4% completion rate and 16.2-year payback period, the institutional profile is characterized by high non-completion risk and weak post-graduation earnings relative to debt. The one program that clearly justifies enrollment is Registered Nursing: 74 graduates, $71,337 year-one, $75,117 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.349 (ROI grade B+). The remaining 11 programs in the Scorecard data range from C+ to D. Clinical Psychology is among the weakest: 39 graduates, $34,491 year-one, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.846 (ROI grade D). Business Administration (37 graduates, $42,840 year-one) and Teacher Education (35 graduates, $39,850 year-one) both earn C grades and offer only moderate earnings at Gardner-Webb's net price. The low repayment rate is the signal that warrants deepest scrutiny before enrollment.
The data raises concerns about Gardner-Webb University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score35/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Gardner-Webb University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,760/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,760/yr |
| Average net price | $17,674/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $70,696 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,039 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,222 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $257 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 55.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,856 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Gardner-Webb University is $34,760/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,674/year, or roughly $70,696 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,304/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,438/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,222 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $257 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,039 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,304 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,594 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,769 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,946 |
| $110,001+ | $22,438 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $15,304 net price per year at Gardner-Webb -- approximately $61,216 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $14,594 -- the lowest price in the entire income table, likely reflecting maximum Pell plus institutional aid. At $14,594-$15,304 per year, Gardner-Webb is among the more affordable private nonprofit options for lower-income students in North Carolina. Nursing students at this price achieve a clear positive ROI; most other program pathways remain marginal.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $13,769 -- actually the lowest across all income bands, which may reflect Scorecard reporting methodology or specific middle-income aid programs. The 75001-110000 bracket rises to $15,946. The relatively flat pricing across the lower-middle income bands suggests Gardner-Webb's aid structure does not sharply penalize moderate-income families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $22,438 per year -- approximately $89,752 over four years. At this price, only nursing graduates achieve clearly positive ROI. The 16.2-year payback period and 59.1% repayment rate mean higher-income families considering Gardner-Webb for business, education, or liberal arts programs should weigh the outcomes data carefully before committing at full price.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Gardner-Webb University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $75,117 | B+ |
| Clinical Psychology | $42,936 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,489 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,110 | C |
| Psychology | $49,587 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,709 | D |
| Accounting | $58,918 | C |
| Biology | $48,505 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $58,061 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,982 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Gardner-Webb's strongest program by a significant margin: 74 graduates, $71,337 year-one, $75,117 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.349 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $24,922 is below the institutional median of $24,222, suggesting nursing students borrow at typical institutional rates. Year-one earnings of $71k are competitive for the Charlotte-Gastonia regional healthcare market. For students committed to nursing in the Western North Carolina corridor, Gardner-Webb delivers one of the better value nursing outcomes in the region at this net price.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration has 37 graduates with $42,840 year-one and $61,489 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.630 (ROI grade C). The C grade reflects median debt of $27,000 against moderate regional earnings. Gardner-Webb's location outside major metropolitan markets limits the recruiting depth for business graduates. The four-year earnings trajectory ($61,489) is modest but functional for students pursuing careers in the Piedmont region.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology is Gardner-Webb's largest graded program: 39 graduates, $34,491 year-one, $42,936 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.846 (ROI grade D). Median debt of $29,166 -- above the institutional median -- against year-one earnings of $34k creates a severe immediate financial burden. The D grade is appropriate. Clinical Psychology at the undergraduate level rarely leads directly to licensure; students planning careers in clinical practice must account for graduate school debt on top of this baseline.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 55.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 59.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 67.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 480-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 495-608 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 1,856 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,375 |
At 77.2%, Gardner-Webb is accessible. SAT Math 25th percentile at 480 and ACT at 19 indicate a wide range of academic preparation. The admissions process does not impose high barriers, but the more consequential filter is completion: just over half of enrolled students graduate. Students who enroll should plan their program carefully and monitor academic progress benchmarks, particularly in the first two years.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Gardner-Webb's Scorecard peers include Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, United Talmudical Seminary, Eckerd College, and Felician University. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Within the North Carolina private college market, Gardner-Webb (ROI 35) competes with Barton College, Catawba College, and Wingate University for students in the western Piedmont. The 59.1% repayment rate is the institutional metric that most distinguishes Gardner-Webb negatively from regional peers -- below the national average for private nonprofits and a signal worth investigating through borrower outcome disclosures.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb University (this school) | 35 | $17,674 | $48,039 |
| Felician University | 40 | $40,045 | $57,602 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | 36 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| Eckerd College | 31 | $38,071 | $51,819 |
| Barton College | 24 | $23,626 | $47,913 |
| Belmont Abbey College | 24 | $24,639 | $47,937 |
Who Thrives Here
Gardner-Webb University admits 77.2% of applicants and enrolls 1,856 students in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, near the Shelby-Gaffney area of the NC-SC border. SAT Math ranges 480-590, SAT Reading 495-608, ACT Composite 19-25 -- a broad, accessible range. The Pell grant rate of 37.1% indicates meaningful lower-income enrollment. GWU is a historically Baptist institution with a divinity school and strong religious campus culture. Students drawn to the Baptist faith community and committed to nursing will find the clearest value proposition. The 59.1% repayment rate and 55.4% completion rate are among the most concerning in this batch of 30 schools.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Gardner-Webb University. With a net cost of $17,674 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,039 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $24,222 against $48,039 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.