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Georgia College & State University vs Brenau University: which has better ROI?

Public, Milledgeville GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Gainesville GA

The verdict

Georgia College & State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,744 in 8.5 years versus 13.4 years at Brenau University, on median earnings of $58,140 vs $54,003 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgia College & State UniversityBrenau University
Net price / yr$20,686$18,924
Total net cost$82,744$75,696
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,140$54,003
Median debt$22,250$27,000
Payback8.5 yrs13.4 yrs
20-year net return$112,856$37,164

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Georgia College & State University or Brenau University?

Brenau University, at $18,924 a year after aid versus $20,686 — a gap of $1,762 a year, or $7,048 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Georgia College & State University or Brenau University graduates earn more?

Georgia College & State University graduates report a median $58,140 ten years after entry, $4,137 more than the $54,003 at Brenau University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Georgia College & State University or Brenau University?

Georgia College & State University: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Brenau University, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Georgia College & State University, against 33% at Brenau University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Georgia College & State University vs Brenau University: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia College & State University or Brenau University a better value?
Georgia College & State University. It clears its $82,744 net cost in about 8.5 years versus 13.4 years at Brenau University, on median earnings of $58,140 vs $54,003 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia College & State University or Brenau University?
Brenau University: $18,924/yr net price after aid versus $20,686/yr at Georgia College & State University — a difference of $1,762 a year, or about $7,048 over four years.
Do Georgia College & State University or Brenau University graduates earn more?
Georgia College & State University graduates earn a median $58,140 ten years after entry, versus $54,003 at Brenau University — a $4,137 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.