What is the acceptance rate at Brenau University?

Brenau University's acceptance rate is approximately 88% (Gainesville, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Brenau University?

Admitted students at Brenau University typically score 930–1200 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Brenau University cost?

At Brenau University, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,924 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Brenau University?

Brenau University enrolls approximately 1,029 undergraduate students.

Where is Brenau University located?

Brenau University is located in Gainesville, GA.

Brenau University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Brenau University

Gainesville, GAprivate nonprofitbrenau.edu

Acceptance

88%

SAT 25–75

930–1200

Avg net price

$18,924

Earnings (10 yr)

$54,003

Graduation rate

33%

Admit rate has ranged 58%–93% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Brenau University is a small, private liberal arts institution in Gainesville, Georgia, known for its tight-knit community and career-focused programs—particularly in nursing, dance, and education. With an acceptance rate hovering around 88%, it’s accessible but struggles with low graduation rates (34% for undergraduates). The dry campus and historic downtown location offer a quiet, safe environment, though its $35K+ sticker price demands scrutiny of financial aid packages.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 1,029
In-state tuition: $34,027
Out-of-state tuition: $34,027
Location: Downtown Gainesville, GA
Top Majors: Nursing, Dance, Education
Campus Vibe: Dry, quiet, arts-focused
Avg Net Cost: $19,743
Acceptance Rate: ~88%
Student-Faculty Ratio: Low (unspecified)
Graduation Rate (4-year): 34%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $54,003
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.9×
Median debt at graduation: $27,000
Graduation rate: 33%
First-year retention: 65%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 45%
Pell (lower-income) share: 70%
First-generation share: 40%
Endowment / student: $59,479

Financial health

3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard

U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$60,523
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$38,289
Health and Medical Administrative Services$32,569
Business/Commerce, General$29,685

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 1
Per 1,000 students: 0.97

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 105
Summer high: 86°F
Winter low: 39°F
Annual rain: 62.5"
Annual snow: 2.1"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 38
Scholarly works: 310

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 2.1%
Bottom → top quintile: 31%
From bottom quintile: 7%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Brenau University?: Brenau University's acceptance rate is approximately 88% (Gainesville, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Brenau University?: Admitted students at Brenau University typically score 930–1200 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Brenau University cost?: At Brenau University, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,924 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Brenau University?: Brenau University enrolls approximately 1,029 undergraduate students.
Where is Brenau University located?: Brenau University is located in Gainesville, GA.

Admissions

Brenau University is decidedly not selective, with an of 87.8% (per College Board) or 88% (Niche). since at least 2023, the school doesn’t require SAT/ACT scores for admission decisions, though admitted students typically score between 910–1210 (SAT) or equivalent ACT ranges. Home-schooled applicants must complete an interview. The Common Application is accepted, streamlining the process for prospective students.

Acceptance Rate: ~88% (varies slightly by source)
Mid-50% SAT Range: 910–1210
Test-Optional: Yes
Interview Requirement: Home-schooled applicants only

bigfuture.collegeboard.org prepscholar.com brenau.edu niche.com usnews.com