Brenau University vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Brenau University in Gainesville, GA with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brenau University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (2,436 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brenau University is located in Gainesville, GA (Small City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Brenau University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brenau University 11:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Brenau University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or SWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brenau University than SWU ($19,743 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 21.2% lower than at Brenau University ($10,126 vs. $12,850).
• Brenau University is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $4,227 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Brenau University than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $4,227 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Brenau University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 35% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($26,325 vs. $19,498).

Brenau University vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brenau University or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and Brenau University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 60 points higher than at Brenau University (1070).
• Incoming SWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Brenau University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Brenau University 930/1200; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Brenau University 18/22; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brenau University - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Brenau University (3.39).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Brenau University (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Brenau University vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Brenau University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brenau University and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Brenau University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Brenau University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and Brenau University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and Brenau University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brenau University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.