Brenau University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Brenau University in Gainesville, GA with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than Brenau University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 2,436 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brenau University is located in Gainesville, GA (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Brenau University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brenau University 11:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Brenau University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate than Brenau University ($13,999 vs. $19,743).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 18% lower than at Brenau University ($10,533 vs. $12,850).
• Brenau University is 193.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $22,439 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at Brenau University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $10,937 more per year; $34,027.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brenau University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 145.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($26,325 vs. $10,719).

Brenau University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brenau University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and Brenau University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 20 points higher than at Brenau University (1070).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Brenau University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brenau University 930/1200; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brenau University 18/22; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brenau University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Brenau University students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Brenau University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Brenau University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Brenau University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brenau University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• Brenau University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Brenau University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Brenau University graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brenau University graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brenau University students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.