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 2,704 7,479
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #754 #995
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 $12,500 $12,080
Avg Net Price $23,635 $12,902
Avg Grant Aid $22,146 $9,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Brenau University Columbus State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,334 3,870
Admitted 2,020 3,398
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 87.8%
Enrolled % 11.7% 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.07
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/25 16/23
SAT Range 1000/1130 900/1130
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 17:1
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 13% 40%
% Women 87% 60%
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 92% 92%
% Out-of-State 6% 5%

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 (7,479 students vs. 2,704 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 ($12,902 vs. $23,635)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 3.5% lower than costs at Brenau University ($12,080 vs. $12,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Brenau University as Columbus State University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 142.1% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($22,146 vs. $9,147)

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 (87.8%) than Brenau University (86.5%)

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/