Brenau University vs. WKU

Should I go to Brenau University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brenau University or WKU 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. Western Kentucky University comparison
Brenau University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Brenau University Western Kentucky University
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Overview

Brenau University WKU
Location Gainesville, GA Bowling Green, KY
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 2,704 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #754 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brenau.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brenau University WKU
Tuition (In State) $31,000 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $31,000 $27,000
Room & Board $12,500 $11,072
Avg Net Price $23,635 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $22,146 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Brenau University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,334 7,505
Admitted 2,020 7,276
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 96.9%
Enrolled % 11.7% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/25 18/25
SAT Range 1000/1130 980/1170
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 WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Brenau University WKU
Graduation Rate 44% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

Brenau University WKU
% Men 13% 37%
% Women 87% 63%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 76%
% Black 32% 10%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Brenau University WKU
% In-State 92% 70%
% Out-of-State 6% 29%

Campus

Brenau University WKU
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

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Brenau University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 2,704 students)

Brenau University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or WKU?

  • Brenau University is 179% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($31,000.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.8% higher at Brenau University than Western Kentucky University ($31,000.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Brenau University ($12,625 vs. $23,635)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 12.9% lower than costs at Brenau University ($11,072 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Brenau University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 115.8% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($22,146 vs. $10,260)

Brenau University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 57 points higher than at Brenau University (990)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Brenau University (21)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Brenau University (3.39)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Brenau University (86.5%)

Brenau University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brenau University or WKU? 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 WKU and Brenau University.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Brenau University (50% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Brenau University earn on average $6,500 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Brenau University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $27,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Brenau University graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Brenau University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

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