Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Brenau University #879 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,735 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brenau University in the 85.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Brenau University #1372 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Brenau University #879 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Gainesville, Georgia, Brenau University enrolls roughly 1,029 undergraduates. Retention is 65.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 32.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a private institution focused on health and professional fields. Brenau University builds its composite strength on return on investment and affordability. Azimuth ranks Brenau University #531 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,735 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brenau University in the 85.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 49.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a private tuition structure reshaped by institutional aid for admitted students. Access and mobility represent the lower-ranked pillars in the composite. Brenau University enrolls 45.9% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 40.3% first-generation students, positioning the institution in the 41.7 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 7.2 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students pursuing degrees in health professions and related fields — the institution's dominant program family — Brenau University offers a focused pathway into stable, in-demand careers with predictable long-term financial outcomes.
Brenau University's published cost of attendance is $46,010. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $19,481, mid-low-income families pay around $17,379, middle-income families pay about $18,420, mid-high-income families pay approximately $18,279, and higher-income families pay around $20,426. Azimuth ranks Brenau University #721 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,437; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Brenau University's median four-year earnings of $61,654, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Brenau University is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Gainesville, GA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $61,654, placing Brenau University in the 51.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,735 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brenau University in the 85.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 45.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.3% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Brenau University in the 49.5 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 87.8% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors health fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong outcomes in GA's regional labor market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Brenau University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
144 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
11 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
58 graduates
Psychology, General
13 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
21 graduates
Brenau University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and applied professional fields. Nursing is the largest program with 144 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Health Administration, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, and General Studies.
This concentration in Health reflects the institution's positioning as a specialized private university serving students in healthcare, nursing, and related applied disciplines. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in health-related fields.
Nursing graduates earn median earnings of $88,731 four years after enrollment, with Business/Commerce, General graduates earning $55,114 and Teacher Education graduates earning $46,138. These programs represent the institution's core economic profile, where graduates move directly into stable, in-demand healthcare roles.
Psychology, General and Health Administration round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $42,586 and $38,591 respectively. The program portfolio is characterized by direct-to-workforce pathways in health sciences and applied business fields, where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes rather than graduate-school-dependent trajectories.
Brenau University graduates a focused cohort annually across 0 ranked programs, creating concentrated employer visibility in healthcare and professional services sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with national labor-market demand in healthcare and related fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marymount University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#24819 ranked) | VA | 93% | $67,516 | #24819 | Compare |
Thomas More University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#24818 ranked) | KY | 90% | $59,384 | #24818 | Compare |
Ohio Northern University Similar quality tier (#24824 ranked) | OH | 74% | $80,928 | #24824 | Compare |
Saint Francis University Similar quality tier (#24815 ranked) | PA | 77% | $62,101 | #24815 | Compare |
Stillman College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#24293 ranked) | AL | 62% | $35,421 | #24293 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Brenau University's published cost of attendance is $46,010. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $19,481, mid-low-income families pay around $17,379, middle-income families pay about $18,420, mid-high-income families pay approximately $18,279, and higher-income families pay around $20,426.
Azimuth ranks Brenau University #721 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,437; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at Brenau University's median four-year earnings of $61,654, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Brenau University earn median 4-year earnings of $61,654, placing the institution in the 51.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Brenau University sits in the 85.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Brenau University #531 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's focus on fields with direct labor-market alignment, particularly in health and related professional disciplines where employers actively recruit and offer stable career pathways.
The earnings pattern centers on Health and related applied fields. Nursing is the largest program with 144 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $88,731, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The Teacher Education program graduates 58 students with median 4-year earnings of $46,138, also tracking at 1.0x the field benchmark. Health Administration and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft round out the top programs, with 21 and 20 graduates respectively earning $38,591 and $36,910.
This concentration in applied health and professional programs creates a coherent earnings profile where most graduates enter fields with predictable salary progression and sustained demand.
