Brenau University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Brenau University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brenau University or USC Aiken 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. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Brenau University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Brenau University
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Overview

Brenau University USC Aiken
Location Gainesville, GA Aiken, SC
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,704 3,840
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #754 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brenau.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brenau University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $31,000 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $31,000 $20,856
Room & Board $12,500 $8,376
Avg Net Price $23,635 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $22,146 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Brenau University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,334 2,453
Admitted 2,020 1,855
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 75.6%
Enrolled % 11.7% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/25 18/24
SAT Range 1000/1130 950/1180
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Brenau University USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Brenau University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 44% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Brenau University USC Aiken
% Men 13% 36%
% Women 87% 64%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 58%
% Black 32% 27%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Brenau University USC Aiken
% In-State 92% 87%
% Out-of-State 6% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Brenau University based on total student enrollment (3,840 students vs. 2,704 students)

Brenau University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or USC Aiken?

  • Brenau University is 198.1% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($31,000.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.6% higher at Brenau University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($31,000.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Brenau University ($11,872 vs. $23,635)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 49.2% lower than costs at Brenau University ($8,376 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Brenau University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 123.9% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($22,146 vs. $9,891)

Brenau University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Brenau University (990) is 14 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming Brenau University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman Brenau University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • Brenau University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)

Brenau University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brenau University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Brenau University.

  • The graduation rate at Brenau University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (44% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Brenau University earn on average $4,000 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $39,600)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Brenau University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • USC Aiken graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Brenau University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brenau University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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