Brenau University
#2 Best Education Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,003 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,924 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $20.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,446,374.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 32% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 34% — 40% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.09% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Brenau University Matters
Brenau University is a private doctoral / professional university in Gainesville, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,029
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Health Professions, Humanities, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Brenau University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,924 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,003 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 25% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.51 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Brenau University has an acceptance rate of 88%, making it an accessible option for students seeking a private education in Gainesville, Georgia. With an enrollment of 1,029 students, the university fosters a close-knit community where individuals can thrive academically and socially.
The earnings for Brenau graduates ten years after enrollment average $54,003. While the graduation rate stands at 34%, the university is a solid choice for students who want to enter fields like Health Professions, Education, and Business. The demographics show a substantial 46% of students receiving Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting low-income students.
The net price to attend Brenau is $18,924, with a median debt of $27,000. This financial landscape suggests that while students may incur some debt, the potential earnings after graduation can provide a viable return on investment. Students who thrive here typically value a supportive environment and are drawn to its diverse programs in arts, humanities, and health.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Georgia
- #10 Best Online Education Programs in Georgia
- #11 Best Online Nursing Programs in Georgia
- #14 Best Online Business Programs in Georgia
- #15 Best Colleges for Cross-Class Networks
- #16 Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia
- #22 Best Psychology Colleges in Georgia
- #24 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Brenau University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Brenau University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Brenau University, located in Gainesville, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,079. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1079
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 930–1200
- ACT Range
- 18–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 55%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,783
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 2,334
- Admitted
- 2,020
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Brenau University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Brenau University is $34,027, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,924. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,481 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,027
- Out-of-State
- $34,027
- Avg Net Price
- $18,924
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 70%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,481
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,379
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,420
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,426
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Brenau University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Brenau University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Brenau University earn a median of $54,003, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,664
- 8 Years
- $48,236
- 10 Years
- $54,003
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (73)
- 37%
- 100% (73)
- 37%
- 100% (73)
- 37%
- 100% (73)
- 37%
How Brenau Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Brenau University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Brenau University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,924/year ($75,696 total). Graduates earn $54,003 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,522,070 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,446,374 (20.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,696
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,522,070
- Net Return
- $1,446,374
- ROI Multiple
- 20.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,924
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Brenau University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Brenau University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.09%, among the highest in the country. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.09%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,203
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,410,971
- Investment Income
- $-10,747,131
Top Programs
The fields Brenau University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 23% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 21% $71,913 early-career
- Humanities 13%
- Visual & Performing Arts 12% $23,237 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $35,271 early-career
- Psychology 7% $40,390 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Communications 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Brenau University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Brenau University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Brenau University, located in Gainesville, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,079. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Brenau University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Brenau University is $34,027, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,924. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,481 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Brenau University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Brenau University earn a median of $54,003, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Brenau University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Brenau University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.09%, among the highest in the country. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Brenau University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Brenau University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Brenau University.
- Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, IL · Close peer41% grad $54,089 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of JamestownJamestown, ND · Close peer47% grad $56,621 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Rockford UniversityRockford, IL · Close peer43% grad $54,794 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityFond Du Lac, WI · Close peer43% grad $53,501 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA · Close peer54% grad $55,232 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- American International CollegeSpringfield, MA · Close peer44% grad $53,124 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Brenau University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Brenau University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note