At $24,137/yr net price, Gardner-Webb University graduates earn $48,039/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,039/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,137 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,548 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,039/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,039/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,222 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,744/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,750/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,334/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,534/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,952/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $95,930 | $118,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $83,177 | $41,319 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $74,576 | $62,630 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $66,401 | $63,824 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,640 | $18,875 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,748 | $27,409 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,254 | $19,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $50,036 | $27,882 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $47,260 | $29,937 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $24,511 |
The Risk Factor
61.7% of students at Gardner-Webb University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Gardner-Webb sits in mixed territory. Your median earnings ten years out land close to your annual net price, and with a debt load that stays near a single year's cost, the return depends almost entirely on what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program on this list and carries the lowest debt, so you graduate owing less and earning more. Accounting and computer science land in the middle, with computer science giving you a decent payoff without the debt weight that drags down other majors. Business administration and teacher education are where the math turns against you. Both leave you with the highest debt on the list and the lowest pay, meaning you borrow the most for the smallest return. If you plan to major in either, know that going in.
The financial risk here is retention. Roughly three in ten students don't return after their first year, and a 61.7% graduation rate means the price you pay is only worthwhile if you finish. Paying two or three years without a degree is the worst outcome, and it's a real possibility given these numbers.
The net price tiers hold a surprise: families earning under $48k actually pay less than families in the $75k-plus brackets, where price climbs past $27k. If your family income is in the middle or lower range, Gardner-Webb costs you noticeably less. If you're in the top bracket, you're paying near the full sticker.
This school is a good fit for you if you're headed into nursing or a technical field and expect to graduate. If you're set on teaching or general business, run the numbers hard first, because the debt-to-pay ratio in those programs is weak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardner-Webb University worth the cost?
Gardner-Webb's value depends heavily on your major. Allied health and nursing graduates earn significantly above the $48,039 average, while other programs may not justify the $24,137 annual cost.
What are the best paying majors at Gardner-Webb University?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead at $95,930 average earnings, followed by nursing at $83,177. Education administration pays $74,576, while general nursing programs average $59,640.
How much student debt do Gardner-Webb University graduates have?
Median debt is $24,222, which is manageable if you're in high-paying health programs but risky for lower-earning majors. The 61.7% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Gardner-Webb University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $24,137 suggests moderate aid for a private university. However, with average earnings of $48,039, graduates may struggle to repay loans unless they enter high-demand healthcare fields.