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Brenau University

Gainesville, Georgia 30501-3668

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesTight-knitUrban

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Brenau University is a private institution in Gainesville with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1087, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 981 undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

35% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,003 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,786.

Established
1878
Motto
As Gold Refined By Fire
Mascot
HJ
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

87%Acceptance
1087SAT Avg
981Students
11:1Student:Faculty
35%Grad Rate
$54,003Earnings 10yr
$20,786Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate87.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1087

Reading & WritingMid: 560
510590
MathMid: 505
480580

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1723

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,275
Room & Board$12,600
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$45,931
Average Net Price$20,786
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,696
$30–48K$19,278
$48–75K$21,551
$75–110K$24,922
$110K+$19,129

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

25.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$18,425

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (75)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

62%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
981
Gender Split
92% / 8%
Women / Men
First Generation
40%
Pell Grant Recipients
47%

Race & Ethnicity

White 44%
Black 24%
Hispanic 19%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate35.4%
Freshman Retention62.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$41,664
10 Years$54,003

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • 78000987Added to NRHPAugust 24, 1978 Brenau was founded in 1878 as a private institution for the education of women.
  • Pearce purchased the institution and renamed it Brenau, a linguistic blend formed from the German word brennen, "to burn", and the Latin aurum, "gold".
  • Brenau College remained privately owned until 1911 when a board of trustees assumed stewardship of the college, as remains the case today.
  • In 1928, Brenau created a female, residential, college-preparatory school serving grades 9 through 12.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from GA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
50 mi(87 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
181 mi(314 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
211 mi(366 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta57 mi
CLT Charlotte175 mi
BHM Birmingham176 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA886 mi · ~25h 36m drive
New York, NY696 mi · ~20h 6m drive
Hartford, CT795 mi · ~22h 58m drive
Providence, RI850 mi · ~24h 33m drive
Albany, NY792 mi · ~22h 53m drive
Syracuse, NY732 mi · ~21h 9m drive
Rochester, NY697 mi · ~20h 8m drive
Buffalo, NY650 mi · ~18h 47m drive
Philadelphia, PA616 mi · ~17h 48m drive
Pittsburgh, PA473 mi · ~13h 40m drive
Harrisburg, PA561 mi · ~16h 12m drive
Newark, NJ690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
Washington, DC492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Baltimore, MD527 mi · ~15h 13m drive
Atlanta, GA50 mi · ~1h 27m drive
Charlotte, NC181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Raleigh, NC310 mi · ~8h 57m drive
Miami, FL629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Orlando, FL424 mi · ~12h 15m drive
Tampa, FL446 mi · ~12h 53m drive
Nashville, TN211 mi · ~6h 6m drive
New Orleans, LA473 mi · ~13h 40m drive
Richmond, VA421 mi · ~12h 10m drive
Chicago, IL563 mi · ~16h 16m drive
Detroit, MI556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Minneapolis, MN891 mi · ~25h 44m drive
St. Louis, MO463 mi · ~13h 23m drive
Kansas City, MO681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Indianapolis, IN399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
Columbus, OH394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Cleveland, OH511 mi · ~14h 46m drive
Milwaukee, WI642 mi · ~18h 33m drive
Dallas, TX754 mi · ~21h 47m drive
Houston, TX745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Austin, TX859 mi · ~24h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX923 mi · ~26h 40m drive
Los Angeles, CA1958 mi · ~56h 34m drive
San Francisco, CA2155 mi · ~62h 15m drive
San Diego, CA1915 mi · ~55h 19m drive
Seattle, WA2181 mi · ~63h drive
Portland, OR2175 mi · ~62h 50m drive
Denver, CO1223 mi · ~35h 20m drive
Phoenix, AZ1617 mi · ~46h 43m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1594 mi · ~46h 3m drive
Honolulu, HI4518 mi · ~130h 31m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Brenau University Application Checklist

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