What Gardner - Webb University does

Gardner-Webb University is a private Christian university founded in 1905 and headquartered on a 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. It serves approximately 2,990 students across traditional undergraduate, graduate, online, dual-enrollment, and transfer pathways, with faculty resources of 133 full-time faculty (71% holding a PhD or equivalent) and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1 in traditional undergraduate core classes. The academic portfolio is organized across nine colleges and schools offering 80+ undergraduate majors/minors and 35 graduate programs, including business (Godbold College of Business), nursing (Hunt School of Nursing), divinity, education, counseling, and health sciences.

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of tuition-dependent and ancillary streams: traditional undergraduate and graduate tuition, GWU Online enrollment (8-week course formats, six annual start dates), dual-enrollment courses priced at $450/course, room and board across 12 residence halls, NCAA Division I athletics ticket and sponsorship revenue (22 sports, 590+ student-athletes), and the Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program at the Charlotte Center offering certificates and corporate training at $30-$1,125 per course. Distribution relies on a multi-channel GTM: sales-led undergraduate admissions through campus events (Dawg Days, Preview Days), online self-serve enrollment for adult learners, Bulldog Bound co-admission partnerships with regional community colleges, and dual-enrollment outreach to high schools.

Recent strategic activity centers on portfolio recalibration under new NCAA revenue-sharing budget pressures — discontinuing men's and women's tennis while adding women's flag football and acrobatics & tumbling, modernizing athletic ticketing through a Vivenu white-label partnership, and extending both academic (BA in Chemistry, Paralegal Certificate, Agribusiness series) and transfer-channel (new articulation agreements with Catawba Valley CC and Mitchell CC) offerings. The institution holds SACSCOC regional accreditation to award credentials from Associate to Doctoral levels.

Name

Gardner - Webb University

Legal name

Gardner-Webb University

Website

https://gardner-webb.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Gardner-Webb University is a private Christian university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, serving about 2,990 students across undergraduate, graduate, online, dual-enrollment, and transfer programs through nine colleges and NCAA Division I athletics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Online degree programs
• Graduate professional studies
• Dual enrollment programs
• Continuing education certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Boiling Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Traditional undergraduate and graduate tuition revenue from on-campus programs. Revenue varies by program type, with merit and need-based scholarships available.
2. Online Program Tuition: GWU Online degree programs ranging from certificates through doctoral programs, with competitive pricing for adult learners.
3. Dual Enrollment: $450 per course revenue from high school students taking college courses, representing 75-80% discount from traditional tuition.
4. Professional and Continuing Education (PACE): Searight PACE offers certificate programs, corporate training, and professional development courses with varying price points from $30 to $1,125.
5. Athletic Revenue: Revenue from ticketing, sponsorships, and concessions through 22 NCAA Division I athletic programs including football, basketball, and other sports.
6. Room and Board: Housing and dining revenue from 12 residence halls and apartment options on campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gardner-Webb University is a private Christian university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through on-campus instruction in Boiling Springs, NC and through its GWU Online platform. It also operates PACE continuing-education certificate programs, dual enrollment courses for high school students, NCAA Division I athletics, and the ArtsAlive performance and gallery series.

Product overview

Gardner-Webb University is a Christian higher education institution offering a comprehensive academic portfolio through its nine colleges and schools. The core educational offerings include traditional undergraduate programs (71+ majors/minors), graduate programs (35 programs including master's and doctoral degrees), and online degree programs with flexible 8-week formats. Supporting these are specialized add-on modules including the Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program for professional certifications, pre-professional pathways for healthcare and law preparation, dual enrollment for high school students, and enrichment programs including study abroad and honors. The university also operates NCAA Division I athletics (Runnin' Bulldogs) with 22 sports teams. This is a platform-plus-modules architecture where the core degree programs serve as the foundation, supplemented by continuing education, professional development, and athletic offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE): Professional and continuing education program offering courses for professionals from entry level to executive levels, including corporate training, healthcare courses, and technology certifications.
• GWU Online
• Godbold College of Business
• Hunt School of Nursing
• Bulldog Bound

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Residential and on-campus undergraduate degree programs across liberal arts and professional fields delivered at the Boiling Springs, NC campus, aimed at traditional college-age students seeking a Christ-centered education with NCAA Division I athletics.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's and doctoral level programs offered on campus and online for working adults and post-baccalaureate learners pursuing career advancement or credential completion in areas such as business, ministry, counseling, nursing, and education.
• GWU Online Online delivery channel through which Gardner-Webb offers undergraduate completion and graduate degree programs, giving geographically constrained learners access to the same academic catalog via a web-based platform.
• Dual Enrollment Program College-credit courses delivered to high school juniors and seniors through partner schools, priced at a flat $450 per course, allowing students to earn transferable college credit before graduation from high school.
• PACE Continuing Education Certificates Non-degree professional development certificates offered through the PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) division, with pricing tiers from approximately $30 for short certificates up to about $1,125 for higher-cost certifications, targeted at working adults needing short, stackable credentials.
• NCAA Division I Athletics Program Intercollegiate NCAA Division I athletics program operated by the university, providing competitive sports teams, ticketed events using a Vivenu-based system, and an additional engagement channel for prospective and current students.
• ArtsAlive Performance and Gallery Series On-campus arts programming consisting of ticketed performances and gallery exhibitions open to students, faculty, and the broader community, distributed through the Vivenu ticketing platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of students receive financial aid
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VivenucoreTechnology or Integration · 19 December 2025Gardner-Webb Athletics partnership with Vivenu, a global event ticketing technology provider, implementing Vivenu's white-label platform across all athletic events. Aims to streamline ticketing operations, enhance fan experience, and maximize revenue potential for the Runnin' Bulldogs community. Aligns with Big South Conference and Southern Conference affiliations.
• Food LionminorOthersOfficial Sponsor of Gardner-Webb Athletics, providing financial support and brand visibility at athletic events.
• Sharonview Federal Credit UnionminorOthersKickoff Kid Sweepstakes sponsor for GWU football games, providing game tickets and experiences for children ages 6-11.
• Gaston CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulldog Bound co-admissions partnership enabling seamless transfer pathway for students completing associate degrees at Gaston College to transfer to Gardner-Webb.
• Blue Ridge Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulldog Bound co-admissions partnership enabling seamless transfer pathway for students completing associate degrees at Blue Ridge Community College to transfer to Gardner-Webb.
• Greenville Technical CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulldog Bound co-admissions partnership enabling seamless transfer pathway for students completing associate degrees at Greenville Technical College to transfer to Gardner-Webb.
• Catawba Valley Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew articulation agreements announced in February 2026 streamlining transfer process for students.
• Mitchell Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership announced in February 2026 to streamline transfer process for students.
• Big South ConferencecoreOthersAthletic conference affiliation for NCAA Division I competition in multiple sports.
• Southern ConferencecoreOthersAthletic conference affiliation for select sports at NCAA Division I level.
• Coastal Collegiate Swimming AssociationminorOthersConference affiliation for swimming and diving programs.
• SAGE Scholars (Tuition Rewards)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational consortium program allowing families to earn tuition rewards points redeemable at Gardner-Webb and other participating independent colleges.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• High Point University: Private university in High Point, North Carolina, with large residential undergraduate enrollment, NCAA Division I athletics (Big South, where it overlaps Gardner-Webb), and strong emphasis on traditional undergraduate experience. Comparable regional competitor for NC college-bound students.
• Elon University: Private university in Elon, North Carolina, with NCAA Division I athletics (Colonial Athletic Association) and a strong undergraduate residential model. Comparable NC-based private university competing for the same regional college-bound student pool.
• Furman University: Private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina, with NCAA Division I athletics (Southern Conference, where it overlaps Gardner-Webb) and a strong residential undergraduate focus. Comparable as a selective private Southeastern institution competing for similar college-bound students.

Direct peers

• Belmont University: Private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs, NCAA Division I athletics (Missouri Valley Conference), and a faith-rooted identity. Comparable mid-sized private Christian university with overlapping academic and athletic positioning.
• Lenoir-Rhyne University: Private Lutheran-affiliated university in Hickory, North Carolina, offering undergraduate and graduate programs plus NCAA Division II athletics. Comparable faith-affiliated private university in western NC competing for overlapping regional students and transfer pipelines.
• Campbell University: Private Baptist-affiliated university in Buies Creek, North Carolina, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs (law, pharmacy, medicine) plus NCAA Division I athletics. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted, NC-based private university with overlapping program portfolio and athletic conference footprint.
• Wingate University: Private Baptist-affiliated university in Wingate, North Carolina, with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs (pharmacy, physical therapy), plus NCAA Division II athletics. Comparable faith-affiliated NC private university with similar size and program mix.
• Wofford College: Private liberal arts college in Spartanburg, South Carolina, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, NCAA Division I (Southern Conference), and similarly small enrollment (~1,800). Comparable as a faith-affiliated, small, residential, D-I institution in the Carolinas competing for similar students.
• Catawba College: Private United Church of Christ-affiliated liberal arts college in Salisbury, North Carolina, with NCAA Division II athletics and a residential undergraduate focus. Comparable small, faith-affiliated NC institution competing for similar traditional undergraduates.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest private Christian university in the U.S., based in Lynchburg, Virginia, with extensive online enrollment (Liberty University Online) and NCAA Division I athletics. Comparable faith-affiliated positioning and online program mix, but at much greater scale and brand reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/13664714337
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gardner-webb-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/gwusearightpace
• Xx.com/thegardnerwebb

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gardner - Webb University