Spelman College vs Brenau University: which has better ROI?
Spelman College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $155,868 in 13.4 years versus 13.4 years at Brenau University, on median earnings of $59,993 vs $54,003 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Spelman College | Brenau University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,967 | $18,924 |
| Total net cost | $155,868 | $75,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,993 | $54,003 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 13.4 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $76,792 | $37,164 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Spelman College or Brenau University?
Brenau University, at $18,924 a year after aid versus $38,967 — a gap of $20,043 a year, or $80,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Spelman College or Brenau University graduates earn more?
Spelman College graduates report a median $59,993 ten years after entry, $5,990 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, Spelman College or Brenau University?
Spelman College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Brenau University, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Spelman College, 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.