Gardner-Webb University Acceptance Rate
Boiling Springs, North Carolina · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 4,670
- Admitted
- 4,064
- Yield
- 10.1%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Gardner-Webb University's acceptance rate has risen from 67.1% in 2014–15 to 87% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 3,355 to 4,670 (+39%) over that period.
Its 87% rate makes Gardner-Webb University more selective than about 27% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 23%.
Gardner-Webb University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 10.1% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 3,355 | 2,252 | 67.1% | 494 |
| 2015–16 | 3,866 | 2,037 | 52.7% | 460 |
| 2016–17 | 4,310 | 2,236 | 51.9% | 444 |
| 2017–18 | 2,966 | 1,563 | 52.7% | 381 |
| 2018–19 | 4,204 | 2,024 | 48.1% | 409 |
| 2019–20 | 4,834 | 3,225 | 66.7% | 402 |
| 2020–21 | 5,370 | 4,186 | 78% | 471 |
| 2021–22 | 5,657 | 4,466 | 78.9% | 447 |
| 2022–23 | 5,728 | 4,293 | 74.9% | 403 |
| 2023–24 | 4,670 | 4,064 | 87% | 411 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,616 | 2,301 | 88% |
| Men | 2,054 | 1,763 | 85.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 520–640 | 13% |
| SAT Math | 520–620 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–26 | 23% |
How Gardner compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Gardner-Webb University's acceptance rate?
Gardner-Webb University's acceptance rate is 87% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (4,064 admitted of 4,670 applicants).
Is Gardner-Webb University test optional?
Gardner-Webb University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Gardner-Webb University?
Gardner-Webb University received 4,670 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 4,064.
What SAT score do you need for Gardner-Webb University?
Admitted students at Gardner-Webb University typically scored 520–640 on SAT Reading/Writing and 520–620 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Gardner-Webb University getting harder to get into?
Gardner-Webb University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 67.1% in 2014–15 to 87% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.gardner-webb.edu/.