Brenau University vs. Columbus State

Should I go to Brenau University or Columbus State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brenau University or Columbus State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Brenau University vs. Columbus State University comparison
Brenau University Columbus State University College 3 College 4
Brenau University Columbus State University
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Overview

 Brenau University Columbus State
Location Gainesville, GA Columbus, GA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,420 7,610
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #997
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brenau.edu columbusstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Brenau University Columbus State
Tuition (In State) $31,000 $4,371
Tuition (Out of State) $31,000 $15,425
Room & Board $12,600 $11,262
Avg Net Price $20,860 $11,384
Avg Grant Aid $25,170 $8,299
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 98%

Admission

 Brenau University Columbus State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,761 3,550
Admitted 2,401 3,523
Acceptance Rate 87% 99.2%
Enrolled % 8.5% 30.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.07
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 17/24
SAT Range 990/1170 860/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

 Brenau University Columbus State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

 Brenau University Columbus State
Graduation Rate 44% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

 Brenau University Columbus State
% Men 9% 7%
% Women 42% 14%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 51%
% Black 32% 37%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 Brenau University Columbus State
% In-State 89% 91%
% Out-of-State 7% 7%

Campus

 Brenau University Columbus State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Brenau University based on total student enrollment (7,610 students vs. 2,420 students)

Brenau University vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or Columbus State?

  • Brenau University is 609.2% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($31,000.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 101% higher at Brenau University than Columbus State University ($31,000.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Brenau University ($11,384 vs. $20,860)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 11.9% lower than costs at Brenau University ($11,262 vs. $12,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Brenau University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 203.3% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($25,170 vs. $8,299)

Brenau University vs. Columbus State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brenau University or Columbus State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbus State or Brenau University .

  • The average SAT score at Brenau University (990) is 29 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Brenau University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Brenau University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Brenau University (87%)

Brenau University vs. Columbus State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brenau University or Columbus State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbus State and Brenau University.

  • The graduation rate at Brenau University is higher than Columbus State University (44% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Brenau University earn on average $6,200 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $37,400)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Brenau University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Brenau University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Brenau University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/