Brenau University vs. University of Charleston

Deciding between Brenau University and University of Charleston? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Brenau University
University of Charleston

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brenau University Gainesville, GA
  • University of Charleston Charleston, WV
  • Setting
  • Brenau University Small City
  • University of Charleston Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brenau University 2,436
  • University of Charleston 3,062
  • Type
  • Brenau University Private 4 Year
  • University of Charleston Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brenau University #736
  • University of Charleston #707
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brenau University -
  • University of Charleston -
  • Status
  • Brenau University Non-profit
  • University of Charleston Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brenau University
  • University of Charleston
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brenau University $34,027
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brenau University $34,027
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Room & Board
  • Brenau University $12,850
  • University of Charleston $12,280
  • Average Net Price
  • Brenau University $19,743
  • University of Charleston $20,844
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brenau University $26,325
  • University of Charleston $26,132
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brenau University 99%
  • University of Charleston 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brenau University 3,625
  • University of Charleston 2,573
  • Admitted
  • Brenau University 3,182
  • University of Charleston 1,583
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brenau University 87.8%
  • University of Charleston 61.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Brenau University 9.1%
  • University of Charleston 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brenau University 1070
  • University of Charleston 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brenau University 20
  • University of Charleston 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brenau University 3.39
  • University of Charleston 3.13
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brenau University B+
  • University of Charleston B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brenau University Very Easy
  • University of Charleston Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brenau University
  • University of Charleston Low
  • ACT Range
  • Brenau University 18/22
  • University of Charleston 19/23
  • SAT Range
  • Brenau University 930/1200
  • University of Charleston 985/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brenau University Test optional
  • University of Charleston Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Brenau University
  • University of Charleston
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brenau University 11:1
  • University of Charleston 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brenau University
    • Business (34%)
    • Health Professions (31%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Biology (3%)
  • University of Charleston
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brenau University 44%
  • University of Charleston 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brenau University $43,600
  • University of Charleston $45,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brenau University 48%
  • University of Charleston 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brenau University $27,000
  • University of Charleston $20,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brenau University $279
  • University of Charleston $211
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brenau University 14%
  • University of Charleston 61%
  • % Women
  • Brenau University 86%
  • University of Charleston 39%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brenau University High
  • University of Charleston Low
  • HBCU
  • Brenau University No
  • University of Charleston No
  • % White
  • Brenau University 51%
  • University of Charleston 58%
  • % Asian
  • Brenau University 2%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Black
  • Brenau University 32%
  • University of Charleston 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brenau University 8%
  • University of Charleston 2%
  • % Native American
  • Brenau University 0%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brenau University 0%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brenau University 3%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % International
  • Brenau University 2%
  • University of Charleston 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brenau University 2%
  • University of Charleston 22%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brenau University 93%
  • University of Charleston 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brenau University 6%
  • University of Charleston 33%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Brenau University in Gainesville, GA with University of Charleston in Charleston, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Charleston is larger than Brenau University based on total student enrollment (3,062 students vs. 2,436 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brenau University is located in Gainesville, GA (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
  • Brenau University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brenau University 11:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

Brenau University vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($19,743 vs. $20,844).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 4.4% lower than at Brenau University ($12,280 vs. $12,850).
  • Brenau University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Charleston (about $227 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $33,800.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Brenau University than at University of Charleston (about $227 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $33,800.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brenau University than at University of Charleston (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 0.7% larger than aid received by University of Charleston students ($26,325 vs. $26,132).

Brenau University vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brenau University or University of Charleston? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Charleston and Brenau University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brenau University (1070) is the same as at University of Charleston (1070).
  • Incoming University of Charleston students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Brenau University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brenau University 930/1200; University of Charleston 985/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brenau University 18/22; University of Charleston 19/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brenau University - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Brenau University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
  • Brenau University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Brenau University vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

Brenau University vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brenau University and University of Charleston? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Brenau University's (44%).
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Brenau University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Brenau University graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brenau University graduates ($211 vs. $279).
  • More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brenau University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.