Brenau University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Brenau University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brenau University or Columbia College 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Brenau University vs. Columbia College comparison
Brenau University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Brenau University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Brenau University Columbia College
Location Gainesville, GA Columbia, SC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,704 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #754 #913
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brenau.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Brenau University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $31,000 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $31,000 $21,250
Room & Board $12,500 $8,400
Avg Net Price $23,635 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $22,146 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

 Brenau University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,334 2,176
Admitted 2,020 2,135
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 98.1%
Enrolled % 11.7% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/25 14/18
SAT Range 1000/1130 850/1140
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

Academics

 Brenau University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Brenau University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 44% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

 Brenau University Columbia College
% Men 13% 15%
% Women 87% 85%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 55%
% Black 32% 34%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Brenau University Columbia College
% In-State 92% 76%
% Out-of-State 6% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Brenau University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,514 students)

Brenau University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or Columbia College?

  • Brenau University is 45.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($31,000.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.9% higher at Brenau University than Columbia College ($31,000.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Brenau University ($18,779 vs. $23,635)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 48.8% lower than costs at Brenau University ($8,400 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brenau University than Columbia College (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 37.6% larger than aid received Columbia College ($22,146 vs. $16,089)

Brenau University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Brenau University (990) is 19 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Brenau University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Brenau University (3.39)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Brenau University (86.5%)

Brenau University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brenau University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and Brenau University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Brenau University (50% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Brenau University earn on average $8,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $1,736 lower median federal student loan debt than Brenau University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Brenau University graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More Brenau University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 43%)

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